Sudbury police ride snowmobiles in support of Special Olympics
Dozens came out with their sleds for the chance to shred the trails with police Sunday morning.
The Sudbury Trail Plan parking lot was quite busy are community members and police prepared for the third annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Snowmobile Ride in support of Special Olympics.
"We'll be travelling to the Sudbury Trail Plan property and going to the Wolf Mountain Lookout – we're very excited,” said Constable Nolan Windle with the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS).
“This is our third annual event and it gets bigger every year."
Organizers said a few volunteers leave ahead of the main group to setup a bonfire where participants can cook some hot dogs.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Many said the event is northern Ontarian to a tee; which may be the reason that GSPS is the only police service to have a torch run on snow machines.
"This is a fantastic part of the job, you get to engage with some many members of the public, throw a leg over the sled and raise some money for a fantastic cause – like how can you go wrong, right so," said Windle.
Police Chief Paul Pedersen said the partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics for the torch run goes back 35 years.
"Yeah this is where we have fun and we have fun for a good cause… this (event) is the extension of the Torch Run,” said Pedersen.
Also in attendance was Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre and his wife – who are both avid snowmobilers themselves.
"We've never had the mayor and a police board member out to any of these kinds of things..." said Pendersen.
Lefebvre told CTV News that Special Olympics is a cause that is both near and dear to his family.
"Well certainly it's a great cause - not only are we here to support the Special Olympics, everybody here, beautiful weather, beautiful trails so it's a beautiful day to participate and support," said Lefebvre.
That sentiment was shared with CTV News by many at the event.
This event is just part of a long-standing tradition police services and forces across Ontario have with Special Olympics. The next tradition for GSPS will be the polar plunge at the beginning of March where officers will brace for the chilly waters of Ramsey Lake.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.