Off-duty police officers from Lakewood, Howell and Jackson Friday morning kicked off the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Torch Run, which began in 1981, raises awareness and funds for the Special Olympics.

Officers from many municipalities take part each year in the event in which officers run for several miles before passing on the torch to the next town and ultimately reaching Trenton.

The event kicked off from the Shoprite plaza at about 8:30 AM, and made its way down Clifton Avenue, down Route 88 and up Route 9 to the border of Howell, where Howell Officers then took over the torch to carry it on to the next Township. There are approximately 20 legs to the event, and involves numerous municipalities throughout the State.

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