This participant in the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run U.P. for Special Olympics team runs on U.S. 41 South in Chocolay Township on Tuesday. The team is raising money and awareness for the Special Olympics. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run U.P. for Special Olympics came through Marquette on Tuesday on its mission to bring attention and raise funds for the Special Olympics.

Law enforcement officers known as “Guardians of the Flame” carried the Flame of Hope for the cause.

The Michigan State Police is part of the effort, along with the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Fraternal Order of Police.

“I can say this is a very important cause that MSP and local agencies team up with to raise funds for,” said Mark Giannunzio, MSP public information officer for MSP Eighth District, in an email. “Special Olympics is a vital part of our communities and anything we can do to help with this is part of our mission to assist the people we serve.”

According to Special Olympics Michigan, during Run Week, LETR members will make the nonstop 750-mile relay that starts in Copper Harbor at the tip of the Upper Peninsula and ends downstate at Belle Isle. This Central Route run started on Monday and will end on Friday.

SOMI indicated that it continues to carry the Flame of Hope at its statewide tournaments where cauldrons are lit to mark the events’ significance.

Participants in Flame of Hope Community Runs, whether in person or virtually, also are Guardians of the Flame for the athletes who compete year-round for Special Olympics Michigan, the organization said.

“When carrying the torch in your local community or virtually you provide hope, courage and inspiration to those with intellectual disabilities,” it said on its website. “You can run, jog, walk, (or) bring along fido to any of our Flame of Hope events.”

A Flame of Hope event was scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Superior Dome. Other events are set to run during the week throughout Michigan.