By Chloe Petch
Every year, law enforcement officers across the region lace up their running shoes to carry the Flame of Hope for Special Olympics Southern California. Agencies take turns running their assigned legs of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, passing the torch hand-to-hand, mile-by-mile. The first day of the run starts in San Diego, the site of the Torch Run Kick Off in May.
In 2025, as San Diego agencies reached record fundraising amounts, five officers went further than anyone expected. Instead of running one leg, they ran them all, covering every leg of Day 1 of the Torch Run. By the end of the day, they had completed 32.5 miles together.
For San Diego Police Department officer Jose Martinez running has long been a personal outlet and source of strength. “I’ve been running marathons and half-marathons for about nine years. Running has been my therapy, a healthy way to disconnect from stress and take on challenges that test who I am.” When Sergeant Mackenzie Fugett suggested they run the whole day, Jose thought, ‘why not?’ “It was another challenge,” he recalls,” and it gave us a chance to push ourselves for something bigger than just a race.”
Jose and Mackenzie teamed up with Ramon Bazan, Elvis Salazar, and Aaron Merris. Together, they committed to see the entire run through. Supporting them was Bailey Christian, who followed along with supplies, encouragement, and the kind of presence that makes all the difference when fatigue sets in.
“There were definitely tough moments,” Jose remembers. “But what kept me moving was knowing I wasn’t out there alone. We were all grinding, fighting through the pain, and pushing each other. That camaraderie, a trusted team, is what makes you finish what you started.”
Beyond the physical challenge, what gave this journey deeper meaning was the cause itself. “Throughout the run, I thought about the athletes we were doing this for,” Jose says.
“They inspire me because they approach their sports, and life, with so much courage. They face obstacles that others may never see or understand, and yet they keep showing up, training hard, and giving their best to themselves and their teams. Their perseverance is what kept me going when the miles got hard.”
Bailey’s role as support vehicle driver also reflected the teamwork central to Special Olympics’ mission. “He wasn’t just driving a car full of supplies,” Jose says. “He was part of the team, motivating us when the run got tough. That same support – family, coaches, peers – is what our athletes really rely and count on to achieve their goals.”
Crossing the finish line at the end of the day in Del Mar, the team shared a simple celebration and a profound sense of purpose. “I ran 32.5 miles for Special Olympics athletes because I am motivated by them,” Jose says.
“Their courage, perseverance, and commitment to overcoming obstacles is a reminder that the Torch Run isn’t just about running and crossing some arbitrary finish line, it’s about community, inclusion, and using what we love to support something bigger than ourselves.”
This extraordinary effort embodies the spirit of the Torch Run: connecting the courage, camaraderie, and determination of law enforcement with the resilience and inspiration of Special Olympics athletes.
