ROCKLAND — “I’m actually disappointed that the run was shortened,” said one of the Coasties who’d participated in this year’s Special Olympics Torch Run through Rockland.

But, then again, what’s a little rain and construction to a runner and member of the Coast Guard?

The Wednesday, June 5, Law Enforcement running relay for Special Olympics is part of a two-day series of events for the athletes, including bowling, that will eventually culminate Friday, in Orono, where the various torches unite to open the annual Games.

In the Midcoast, Graham Wiley officiated the start of the Camden runners, who ran the torch to Rockland. Members of the Coast Guard, the District Attorney’s Office, Special Olympians, and Rockland PD escorted the torch to Thomaston. (The one torch became two torches when the first wasn’t switched out by the second, as was intended)

Thomaston Police Chief Tim Hoppe activated his blue lights and paved the way for State Police runners from Troop D, in Augusta, who continued the relay eleven more miles toward Waldoboro.

In Rockland, prior to this day, Plan A changed into Plan B, and Plan B turned into Plan C.

Looming overhead was the intended maintenance paving of Camden Street, a forecast of morning rain, and the constant possibility that the need for water rescues will prohibit Coast Guard participation, or emergencies that would thwart police involvement.

But, as Rockland Police Officer and local Torch coordinator, Troy Peasley said, “The Run must go on.”

In deference to the paving, plans altered so that the torch would be received at the Rockland/Rockport town line and driven to the new start at the Maverick Street intersection, cutting the running distance by .7 miles.

But then, early morning rain postponed the paving project.

With clear street and clearing skies, Rockland officers put on this year’s Law Enforcement Maine Torch Run T-shirts and tread the gap themselves.

Through the interest of the runners and the coordination of the law enforcement, 15 Special Olympians and six coaches from Maine Vocational and Rehab Association will take the company vans and head to Orono. Each Law Enforcement T-shirt has sponsorship. Every organization on the shirt represents a $1,000 donation, which helps keeps the trip’s personal cost per athlete to $80 – a far cry from the actual cost per athlete, as incurred by Special Olympics, according to MVRA coach Tina Fales.

The funds have allowed Justin Kristiansen, of Waldoboro, to attend the Games, as well as run from Rockland to Thomaston (and beyond) with the people in uniform.

At the Games, he will join Eric Wehnke, of Thomaston, – who represented Maine at a similar Games in Australia – and Josiah – who has been attending the Games for the past 13 years. They will show their strengths in the activities of sprint running, relay, Long Jump, and Softball Throw.

“It’s a very long weekend,” said Fales. “But very exciting, and so worth it.”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com