Torch Runner Major Hutton Begins His Run Across Virginia Once Again

Day 1 (June 4, 2005)
The run has begun...the 2005 edition of the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Virginia has officially started in fine fashion. We began the day at the Virginia / Tennessee border in Bristol. Sheriff Newman from Washington County was there to be a part of the run. He is the region director for Southwest Virginia. Sheriff Newman joined in the run for a good part of the day. Officer Eddie O'Dell did a wonderful job of organizing the runners from Briston and Abingdon. He also did a fine job of driving the Enterprise Dodge Ram, and yes, it has a "hemi" again this year. Hats off to Enterprise Rent-a-car for "picking me up" each day this week. Also, many thanks go to Holiday Inn Express for donating rooms later in the run so that I can rest my weary feet. I'm sure I will feel stronger by "staying in a Holiday Inn Express" each night, just like the commercial says.

The weather cooperated today in a big way. It remained cloudy, but on the humid side. We saw the sun towards the end of the day, but were able to finish before it became too hot. Manpower issues seem to be a statewide concern with each department complaining about not having the number of runners available this year. Things were sparse in some places where I would run solo. At times I felt like I was pulling the truck behind me. My grand total for the day is 32 miles, and I'm feeling every inch. Tomorrow will be another long day that starts at 7:00 a.m. We run through my hometown and on to Montgomery County. Better get some rest.

Gotta run
Major Dave

Day 2 (June 5, 2005)
Summer came roaring in today with a vengeance. The day began at the Smyth-Wythe county line with a very small group of runners. There were a grand total of three very dedicated law enforcement officers set to go the 12 miles to the town limits. This was the first time I had felt the weight of the "flame of hope" on our backs. We made it to the town limits in time to greet very fast group of high school athletes and law enforcement officers eagerly awaiting the torch. The heat began working on us once the fog lifted. Temps quickly climbed into the upper 80's. Fluids were the name of the game for Sunday's leg of the torch run. Kudos to Dep. Scott Sexton and a few dedicated companions who escorted the torch each day it was carried in the southwest region. Sexton managed to gain support from jurisdictions and departments that historically have not participated at all. The Pulaski Police Department deserves a round of applause for their strong showing today as we carried the torch from the town limits to the Pulaski-Montgomery Co. line.

I felt the sting of the summer humidity today and was only able to run 23 miles...23 very long, hot miles. I will need a strong performance tomorrow and finish the entire route, which is only 18 miles, a much needed break.

Gotta run
Major Dave

Day 3 (June 6, 2005)
The heat and the hills did quite a number on me today. I think reality has set in and I'm getting too many miles to my name (and my old body). I was hit hard by something at mile 12 and was only able to complete a half marathon today. I feel like I'm letting the athletes down when this happens. The day began around 7:30 am with the Radford Police Department bringing the torch out for a day of running. I seem to forget every year just how steep and how long the hills are in this leg of the run. This is by far the shortest, but the toughest section of the "long strange trip" back to Richmond. We climbed one hill (mountain) just after starting that is over 2 miles long. Then after running through the Radford Arsenal, we do another steep climb of over 1.5 miles. This borders on the edge of ridiculous. The fog quickly lifted this morning to allow a bright sun to bake us as we ascended the mountains. It's times like this that I need to have Max Everton say in a very emphatic way..."I am a torch runner." This would definitely remind me of why I'm out here doing this. It seems that the "bug" has been catching on out here and participation is up.

Special thanks to Derek Thompson and Adam Van Zandbergen (say that fast ) for driving the Enterprise Dodge Ram "hemi." Enterprise picked me up again this morning. Also thanks to Holiday Inn for setting me up today with a nice cool...very cool room. I definitely feel like I have "stayed in a holiday inn express" last night.

Day 4 (June 7, 2005)
The day began early on the Virginia Tech Campus with just a few loyal officers stepping up to the plate. These few officers had enough torch run enthusiasm to carry us through the day. In fact, VT officers Mike Falls, Chad Journell, Paul Vinson, Larry Wooddell and Daniel Hardy escorted the flame of hope the entire 45 miles today, going above and beyond the call of duty. They were on bikes, in vans, and behind the wheel of my "Enterprise Dodge Hemi" all day long. The low turnout changed dramatically as we came into Montgomery County's section of the run, with several officers from Blacksburg PD, Christiansburg PD, Virginia Tech PD and Montgomery Co. Sheriff's Office making this the largest run to date. Historically, this crew does an excellent job of creating torch run awareness along the 45 mile stretch, and did not let us down. Kudos to Chris Ramsey, Mike Nelson and Lewis Heslip for generating all the enthusiasm, and to the Chief of Christiansburg PD for coming along for the run. Another great addition to the run was the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy Recruit Class. These guys and gals numbered 25+ and represented several jurisdictions across the region. They were a welcome site to the weathered runners. They managed to take us all the way to Longwood Park, where Hardee's supplied a much needed snack to all the runners.

Temps were grueling again today where passing a bank thermometer reading 90+ was not unusual site. Fluids were an issue from the start. After all was said and done, my total was 26 miles. My marathon distance was accomplished for the day, but now I feel it. Tomorrow will be a long day, but after a good night's sleep, I will be able to do the distance because "I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night." Thanks to the Holiday Inn Express on Main St in Salem for their wonderful hospitality.

Gotta Run
Major Dave

Day 5 (June 8, 2005)

...I think, or maybe its day 15. The heat was the worst today. The sun baked our skin as we traveled from Salem Virginia down route 460 to Lynchburg. I began the day behind the wheel this time due to a manpower shortage on the run. This quickly changed as each runner retired early and offered their services. The Bedford City and County officers managed to keep the "Enterprise Dodge Hemi" rolling down the road behind me. This group of runners were very dedicated to the cause and would not let anything get in their way. The State Police met us at the usual place in Montvale with their mobile command (air conditioned of course) but had fewer runners due to different assignments. This route is one of the longest and today was no different. We finally made it to the Campbell County line where Liberty University Police Officers were waiting to take the flame into Lynchburg and the University. This small band of runners, to include a few track stars, attempt to better their time through the route each year. I'm happy to say they set a PR (personal record) this year and flew through rush hour traffic. The run continues to get media attention this year on a local level. Once again, while traveling back to my hotel room, I heard local radio praising the runners and explaining to listeners the "reason for the run."

I managed to hobble over to the Holiday Inn for the night after doing 27 miles for the day. I'm feeling each and every mile at this point. Thanks to the fine folks here at Holiday Inn Lynchburg for setting me up for the 5th year in a row. Tomorrow we begin at O'dark 30 (5:30am) for the trip to C-ville where I'm sure we will be met by this year's State Chair, Chief Longo from Charlottesville PD. The chief is an avid supporter of the torch run and has met us in Charlottesville when his busy schedule allows.

I can see the finish line from here.

Gotta run
Major Dave

Day 6 (June 9, 2005)
The end is in sight. The long trek to Charlottesville began at 5:30 a.m. at the city of Lynchburg Police Station. Lynchburg PD always takes the lead role in moving the "flame of hope" the entire distance to C-ville. The turnout was a little lower than in years past, which made their "leapfrog" method more crucial. This is where each mile is mapped out and every individual running signs up for miles, with a total of 61 blanks to fill. A few members of the Liberty University Police Department joined us for the long journey. A special thanks to their first sergeant who drove the "Enterprise Dodge Hemi" for a good part of the trip. We also had a few members from Amherst County and a couple of probation officers that work several counties in that part of the state.

As the temps climbed quickly to the upper 80's, fluids were very critical. I was feeling the burn on my skin even after applying sunscreen several times throughout the day. At this point, I'm following the advice of a retired trooper who ran the first day with us by keeping my head down on the hills.

Today was a good day for me to spread the good word that is Special Olympics. Lots of new faces along for the run today and lots of questions as to why they were out there. I took the opportunity to invite them to the "final leg" that is "Torch Run." This would help them to understand.

I'm looking forward to Friday's run and the ceremonies at the Robins Center. I can't wait to seem my buddy Max and all of his friends. It serves as my reward, my satisfaction that another torch run is in the books.

Day 7 (June 10, 2005)
I was beginning to think the end would never be in sight. My final leg began at 8:00 a.m. in Hopewell. I teamed up with officers from Hopewell, Riverside Regional Jail, and a few state troopers as we began our trek to the Chesterfield County line. As I have stated before, turnout was down this year and today was no exception. We quickly began to feel the heat of the day as the humidity began to rise rapidly. We crossed the bridge into Colonial Heights and were met by the new "mounted sheriff's patrol." Sheriff Tench and one of his deputies were on horseback as we passed through the town. Several Special Olympics participants met us at City Hall, giving us much needed water as we passed by with the torch lit and held high. It was then on to Chesterfield as we met the Police Department, Sheriff's Office and a few dedicated DOC employees.

The temps continued to climb as we worked our way North on Rt. 1. A big thanks to the Chesterfield Fire Department for providing support to include paramedics and a brush truck that provided a shower every mile or two. We struggled to keep up with the demand for water today, barely coming up with enough to finish. Ice was also in very short supply.

Later in the day Dep. Gilmer and I escorted the torch to the Federal agencies staging at Forest Hill Avenue. I always enjoy running with this group. They really know how to roll out the support vehicles. We looked like a storm chaser outfit with all of the "stealth" vans and SUV's. Kudos to Dave Van Austin and Mark Rosien for leading the way to Tuckahoe. The Good Sam's people were at it again with a fine spread to great the hungry runners.

The final leg was as impressive as ever. We had a magnificent turnout with a state police and Henrico Police Academy participating. My wife and my sons attended just to see why I get so excited about this event. All of the running I do across the state leads up to this final mile. Today was no exception. We escorted the flame of hope to the cheering athletes, putting everything in perspective.

Another long run in the books. This was my 7th long journey across the commonwealth. In the 7 years, I have covered close to 1200 miles doing nothing but spreading the good word about Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. My "clydesdale" body is feeling every mile, so I will sign off for another year. Between now and then I hope to be the voice of the Special Olympian and to generate the awareness that we are all God's children and were "created in his image." God Bless

Gotta Sleep
Major Dave