The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Southern California kicks off Tuesday in Chula Vista, marking the start of a 1,500-mile journey across seven counties. More than 300 law enforcement agencies and Special Olympics athletes will carry the Flame of Hope through 200 communities, promoting inclusion and acceptance for individuals with intellectual disabilities, according to a news release. The launch ceremony begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Chula Vista Police Department and will include appearances by Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy, San Diego Assistant Chief Bernie Colon and Special Olympics athlete and Global Messenger Thomas Selbe. Tuesday’s portion of the local run will cover nearly 33 miles, from Chula Vista to Torrey Pines. On Wednesday, the run will resume from Torrey Pines and cover more than 20 miles as it heads to Camp Pendleton, where U.S. Marines will eventually hand off the torch to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The torch will travel through Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, culminating in Long Beach on June 6 to open the 2025 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games. Additional community torch ceremonies will take place in San Luis Obispo (June 2), Santa Barbara (June 4) and Los Angeles (June 5). Since its inception, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised over $1 billion globally, including nearly $23 million in Southern California alone, officials said. For more information, go to www.sosc.org/torchrun.