Jeff Bidelman, a corrections officer from Manistee, hands off the torch to Eric Morgan, an officer for the state Department of Corrections in Kinross, as he begins the Torch Run over the Mackinac Bridge Wednesday, September 13. The run began in Copper Harbor and ended in Detroit Friday, September 15. Mr. Bidelman ran from Mackinac Trail to the bridge toll booth. Eighteen Michigan State Police troopers and hundreds of other runners raised $75,000 for Special Olympics in the annual 750-mile Torch Run Wednesday, September 13, through Friday, September 15, and State Police divers also participated this year, swimming a relay across the Straits of Mackinac.

Ten divers took turns swimming in the cold water, and State Police diver Jennifer Hodgson of Brighton completed the entire swim on her own. The divers swam from the Mackinac Bridge Authority dock at St. Ignace to Mackinaw City.

Leading the run over the Mackinac Bridge was Eric Morgan, a corrections officer at Chippewa Regional Corrections Facility. Jeff Bidelman, a Manistee corrections officer, handed the ceremonial torch to Mr. Morgan after completing five miles of a segment that stretched from M-134, down Mackinac Trail, and through downtown St. Ignace to the bridge toll booths. The run began at Copper Harbor and ended at Sterling Heights.

At left: Several Michigan State Police troopers and other law enforcement officials participated in the annual 750-mile torch run Wednesday, September 13, to raise money for Special Olympics. One of runners crossing the Mackinac Bridge was Joe Kaczynzki, 22, of Auburn, who is a Special Olympics athlete and the artist of this year's Torch Run Tshirt. Those who ran the bridge leg include (front, from left) Aaron Payment, chairman of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Eric Morgan, officer for the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) in Kinross, Mr. Kaczynzki, Marianne Hungsinger, a DOC officer from Grand Rapids, Laura Huttenlocker, a retired DOC officer from Jackson, Jason Marshall, a Sault Tribe officer; (back) Carl White, DOC officer from Coldwater, Nick Smith, a DOC officer from Jackson, and Russ Cilibraise, a DOC officer from Lansing. Mr. Morgan was accompanied by Joe Kaczynzki, 22, of Auburn, who is a participant in the Special Olympics, and state corrections officers, state police, and members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, including Chairman Aaron Payment and tribal police officer Jason Marshall.

Mr. Kaczynzki, who competed in the 2003 International Special Olympic games in Ireland, was the winner of this year's Torch Run Tshirt design contest, which 50 people entered.

"Special Olympics and Michigan State Police make a great partnership," said John Card, coordinator of the Torch Run and a lieutenant at the Bay City post. He said that the 750-mile relay is the longest non-stop relay in the nation.

The Torch Run is recognized internationally as law enforcement's official cause, said Mr. Card. All funds raised go toward Special Olympics to assist with transportation expenses incurred by the athletes and their families, by purchasing equipment, and paying for athletic training.

Michigan State Police is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the Torch Run this year and holds many other fundraisers for Special Olympics besides the Torch Run to raise between $300,000 and $400,000 annually.