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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.