It takes some serious muscle to move a 124,000-pound jet, but this weekend in Long Beach, the real strength will come from the Special Olympics athletes pulling alongside local law enforcement and community members.
The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull returns to Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Sept. 12, raising money for Special Olympics Southern California.
Teams of 25, joined by a Special Olympics athlete as their "co-pilot," will race to pull a 62-ton UPS 757 jet 12 feet. Fastest time wins bragging rights, but organizers say the real goal is supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Photo: Special Olympics SoCal
"It's about the athletes," Law Enforcement Torch Run State Director Irwin Rosenberg told KFI. "It's about raising funds to support our athletes, which are our why and our purpose."
Rosenberg said every $500 raised can support one Special Olympics athlete for a full year at no cost to the athlete or their family. That includes training and competitions as well as equipment, uniforms, transportation and health screenings.
Photo: Special Olympics SoCal
Southern California law enforcement has supported Special Olympics through the Torch Run for 40 years, raising more than $26 million during that time, according to Rosenberg.
The Plane Pull runs from 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. at Jet Zero at Long Beach Airport. Spectators can watch and cheer on the teams, while families can enjoy food, activities and a smaller CHP Cessna plane pull for kids.
Individuals can also donate or sign up to participate, with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Southern California athletes and programs.