Michigan's Law Enforcement Torch Run raised $142,000 for Special Olympics Michigan as of Tuesday, Sept. 15, nearly doubling the statewide goal of $75,000, WLUC reported.

The Marquette community run, one of 30 across the state during the week, started at the Superior Dome and drew members of the Michigan State Police, Marquette Police Department, Marquette Fire Department and residents from across the Upper Peninsula.

Carla White, an executive council member for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and team captain of the U.P. travel team, led the Marquette effort. White has spent 26 years with Special Olympics. She moved to the U.P. from downstate Michigan and now coaches five sports in the Marquette area.

"Once I started interacting with the athletes, it was like, they just hook you in," White told WLUC. "There is so much love, so much passion from them, and they inspire me to be the best that I can."

The fundraising covers all costs for Michigan athletes who compete in Special Olympics events. Athletes and their families pay nothing for uniforms, travel or other expenses, White said.

White said more fundraising means more athletes can take part.

The Marquette run was part of Flame of Hope week, which also features a Central Route Run carrying the torch from Copper Harbor to Detroit over four days, according to MyUPNow.com. Participants in that relay include members of the Fraternal Order of Police, Michigan Department of Corrections and Michigan State Police.

The next major milestone for Special Olympics Michigan athletes: the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Santiago, Chile, scheduled for Oct. 16-24, 2027.