By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ

The Special Olympics torch made its way through the State of Illinois, making its way from Pontiac to the Games in Normal Friday.

Law Enforcement Torch Run participant Kurt McCormick, one of the representatives from Pontiac Correctional Center, biked the length between Morris and Pontiac Thursday before heading back out for the final miles on Friday morning.

“This has just been an amazing experience. Like Cop on a Rooftop, you’re recognizing all of law enforcement across the state coming together and spreading awareness and making people know what the Law Enforcement Torch Run is and supporting Special Olympics,” McCormick said.

Two athletes, DJ Doughty and Wendy Rutherford were on hand to watch the torch take off from Pontiac and shared their excitement for joining friends at the Games.

“This is the one way I’ve made a lot of my friends is through Special Olympics. They have a lot of good sports. I got involved when I was seven years old and I’ve been an athlete ever since,” Doughty said.

Rutherford gave some insight on her favorite things about the Special Olympics, “Being with other people and just getting out – it’s a blast. It’s a whole lot of fun.”

The Summer Games began Friday and ran through the weekend with closing ceremonies Sunday evening