ESCANABA — For at least five years, Escanaba Public Safety Department has hosted an Escanaba Community Run in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Michigan. Although it’s called the Escanaba Community Run, it is technically for all of Delta County as it is the only run in the county.

Escanaba Public Safety Det. Tabitha Marchese said this is her first year helping organize the event, but has run in every community run in Escanaba and is even a member of the U.P. travel team that runs at all of the events in different counties around the U.P.

The Escanaba Community Run is set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Marchese explained there are going to be at least six community runs throughout the U.P., including Escanaba.

All money raised through registration fees and donations goes towards Michigan Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics is huge around all of Michigan and we even host some of it … in Escanaba and in the U.P., in general. So, anything that we can do to help support that and just show these athletes that we as law enforcement and the community support them is a great thing to do. It’s for a great cause,” Marchese said.

The Escanaba Community Run will start at Elmer’s County Market parking lot — where the U.P. travel team’s RV will be parked to register people, hand out the t-shirts and sell raffle tickets at 6 p.m.

Marchese said although it is called a “run,” participants don’t have to run. She said people can walk, run or bicycle the two mile route to Ludington Park.

At 6:30 p.m., a fire truck and the police patrol vehicle will lead those participating from Elmer’s, down North 21st Street to Ludington Street where they’ll continue until Ludington Park.

Marchese said some local volunteer fire departments are coming to assist at the event and officers will be blocking intersections during the run to insure safety.

She also noted the travel team’s RV will follow the run and will play music during it.

Three individuals will run with either the American Flag, the Special Olympics Flag and the Special Olympics Torch.

At the end of the run/walk, participants can look forward to hotdogs and refreshments donated by various local businesses.

Marchese said it’s the first year they’re providing something after the run.

Donating food and drinks are not the only way local businesses have helped out with the event.

According to Marchese, several businesses have also donated money, which just like the registration fees, all goes towards Michigan Special Olympics.

Interested people can either register the day of the event or by visiting give.classy.org/escanaba19 or through the link on Escanaba Public Safety Department’s Facebook page.

If people want to just donate they can do so by visiting the link or website as well, Marchese said.