MULLICA TOWNSHIP — About 100 township students ran two miles down the White Horse Pike on Friday morning, along with local police officers participating in the Atlantic City to Camden Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey.
The
run, one of 19 across the state, raised funds and awareness for Special
Olympics as the state’s Summer Games were about to open at the College
of New Jersey in Ewing Township, Mercer County. Police closed off the
right lane of the pike, also known as Route 30, for runners and formed a
safety barrier with police cars and motorcycles, light blazing.
“I
felt like I was going to die,” said sixth-grader Eric Tharp, 11, as he
finished winded and exhausted. His friend Darren Fowler, who is on the
cross country team, gave him the motivation to keep going, Tharp said.
Mom Lisa Tharp was there to greet him, and said she was impressed so many fourth- to eighth- graders could run the distance.
Staff photos by Edward Lea
Mullica Township police Officer Joe Giardina, 22, center, of Egg Harbor Township, carries the Special Olympics torch during Special Olympics New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run portion through Mullica Township. Police officers and about 100 school children, below, started their run at Living Faith Chapel at the end Elwood Road in Egg Harbor City on Friday.
Mullica Township Education Association
In Mullica, students had to
pre-qualify to particpate in the run, said Pre-K to 8th grade physical
education teacher Marguerite Tomasello. She said they had to run two
miles in 21 minutes or less.
“It
wasn’t easy. I almost fell,” said Ava Hammonds, 10, in fourth grade, as
she finished at Township Hall. But she looked cool and unfazed, and
wasn’t straining to catch her breath like many runners were.
Thirteen-year-old
Brian Mascio, a seventh grader, said he learned the importance of
keeping a steady pace from being on the cross country team.
“Everyone started so fast. I started regular and pretty soon was catching up and passing people,” he said.
Entire article and video at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/kids-in-mullica-join-law-enforcement-torch-run-for-special/article_7a8fd854-e850-11e3-b719-0019bb2963f4.html
Entire article and video at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/kids-in-mullica-join-law-enforcement-torch-run-for-special/article_7a8fd854-e850-11e3-b719-0019bb2963f4.html
Staff photos by Edward Lea
Mullica Township police Officer Joe Giardina, 22, center, of Egg Harbor Township, carries the Special Olympics torch during Special Olympics New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run portion through Mullica Township. Police officers and about 100 school children, below, started their run at Living Faith Chapel at the end Elwood Road in Egg Harbor City on Friday.
Mullica Township Education Association
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