Posted: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 12:00 am
For 27th year, run is for a worthy cause
BY MICHAEL BOOTH
GAZETTE-TIMES REPORTER
Law enforcement officers took a break from their day jobs on Tuesday to carry the torch for a worthy cause: The 27th annual run to benefit Oregon Special Olympics.
Corvallis Police Sgt. Joel Goodwin started his 18.36-mile run Tuesday in south Corvallis. He was flanked by eight other officers and a patrol car escort as he took off from Highway 99W and Southeast Chapman Place with the Special Olympics torch at 12:30 p.m.
He trotted through downtown Corvallis, over the Van Buren Bridge - and then he had to turn around and run back to the Benton County Courthouse, change back into his uniform and testify in a trial.
The other officers carried on, and Goodwin vowed to catch up with the torch and fulfill his promise to the 29 Oregon State University fraternities and sororities that raised $3,673 for Oregon Special Olympics. As an added incentive, Goodwin told the Greek houses he would run one-quarter mile with the Special Olympics torch for every $50 raised.
"They had a good turnout," Goodwin said. "Everybody was eager to get on board." Definitely. The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity raised $849, the largest single amount from any of the organizations, and Goodwin wore their T-shirt in tribute. Several other Greek houses, including second-place finisher Delta Delta Delta sorority, lent Goodwin a shirt to wear during their sponsored portion of the run.
Goodwin is an experienced runner who competed in a marathon and half-Ironman triathlon last year.
After his quick change and court appearance, he caught up to the torch in Albany, where it was handed off to Albany Police officers on its way to Hillsboro. He ran with Albany officers along Highway 99W to Jefferson, but because he still owed a few miles to the Greeks, he ran back to Albany and let Corvallis officers drive him home from there.
Goodwin has been involved in Special Olympics since he was a reserve officer 12 years ago. He was selected to light the Special Olympics torch on opening day. Opening ceremonies for the games will be held at Hillsboro Stadium on June 27 at 6:30 p.m. The games will be June 28 and 29.
Those interested in volunteering for the Summer Games in Hillsboro can contact LouAnne Tabada at ltabada@soor.org. Volunteers for the Benton County Special Olympics can contact Susie Peters at peters3186@
comcast.net or 541-766-6196.