'Get the gold!': Special Olympics USA Games torch run comes through Point Pleasant Beach

Kaitlin Balasaygun, Asbury Park Press
·2 min read

Runners’ feet thudded against the sandy boardwalk. Waves crashed along the shoreline. Cheers echoed in the distance. But it wasn’t your typical Tuesday afternoon, as the smoke of a lit torch swirling in the Jersey Shore breeze tied the whole crowd together.

Athletes and law enforcement members took part in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Law Enforcement Torch Run, as it made a stop at Antrim Elementary School’s Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach Tuesday.

“Special Olympics teaches us that there is greatness in all of us and that we should celebrate each other and push one another to be our best,” said Special Olympic Florida athlete David “The Beast” Rams in a speech at the event.

With less than two weeks until the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games begin, families, coaches and law enforcement members came out to this Jersey Mike’s Subs sponsored event to support the New Jersey athletes who will soon be heading to Orlando, Florida, for this year’s games.

Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement members before starting the Law Enforcement Torch Run at Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.
Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement members before starting the Law Enforcement Torch Run at Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.

NJ athletes: Football-playing brothers get a big surprise with invites to 2022 Special Olympics

Starting outside of Jenkinson’s Aquarium, athletes and law enforcement members carried the “Flame of Hope” and ran 1.3 miles to the field at the school, where they were met by roaring crowds and people waving signs reading “Good luck in Florida!”

But this wasn’t the first time Special Olympics athletes took the stage here in Point Pleasant Beach. Back in 1975, Jersey Mike’s Subs sponsored their very first Special Olympics fundraiser on the exact same field as Tuesday’s Torch Run.

Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement members hold the "Flame of Hope" at the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.
Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement members hold the "Flame of Hope" at the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.

“To be back here for the national games is really an honor,” said Peter Cancro, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Subs.

Now, almost 50 years later, Jersey Mike’s Subs is back at that same field, but this time with $20 million raised for the Special Olympics.

Special needs: Toms River family trapped in Aruba, needs help getting son with autism back home

Special Olympics athletes and families in the crowd at the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.
Special Olympics athletes and families in the crowd at the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.

“I’m ready to get the gold!” exclaimed Katie McGee, who will represent New Jersey in swimming at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

While the countdown comes to its final days for the big event, athletes are ready to show off the hard work they’ve put in during this week-long competition.

“I’ve been training all year round. I’m ready to compete against the best,” Rams said with a confident smile.

Peter Cancro giving a speech at the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.
Peter Cancro giving a speech at the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Donald T. Fioretti Field in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday.

Intern Kaitlin Balasaygun is a rising senior at Ramapo College and expects to earn degrees in journalism and photography in 2023. She is captain of the school's NCAA Division III swim team. Reach her at kbalasaygun@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Special Olympics USA Games torch run came through Point Pleasant Beach