HONG KONG, May 6 -- More than 1,600 law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and local volunteers took to the streets of Hong Kong this May to carry the "Flame of Hope" on a 3.5-kilometer tour through bustling downtown.

Dubbed the "Law Enforcement Torch Run," the 18-year-old annual charity event was organized by Special Olympics Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped. More than 500 officers from Hong Kong law enforcement agencies, which included the Correctional Services, Customs and Excise, Fire Services, Government Flying Service, the Hong Kong Police Force, Immigration Department, and the Leisure and Culture Services Department Independent Commission Against Corruption, participated in the midday run.

Law enforcement agents get ready to race in Hong Kong.

"All of these law enforcement agents have one day off and they are all here today to support Special Olympics," said retired Police Superintendent David Lo Tat Fai, panting after he crossed the finish line. "The spirit of the Torch Run confirms that this movement is spreading."

This year's run raised more than 1.3 million Hong Kong dollars. The money will pay for some 9,000 people with intellectual disabilities to train for and compete in year-round Special Olympics Hong Kong events.

A total of eight torches were carried -- one by a representative of each of the seven agencies and one by Special Olympics athlete Tam Wai Yip.

Special Olympics athlete Tam Wai Yip gives a speech during the event.

"My heart feels very excited today," said Tam, a 23-year-old athlete, who also serves as a Global Messenger of the Special Olympics movement. "To carry the torch made me feel healthy and happy. I wish Special Olympics will get bigger and bigger every year."

More than a thousand volunteers turned out for the popular fundraiser.

More than a thousand volunteers turned out for the event.

"I just love being a volunteer during this torch run event," said Henrietta Siu, a Special Olympics Family Support Network volunteer and mother of two children with intellectual disabilities. "I feel very proud to be involved in Special Olympics."

The event was also attended by a number of Special Olympics East Asia regional leaders who had participated in the annual Regional Advisory Council meeting in Macau the day before, including President of East Asia, Dr. Dicken Yung, Chairman of Special Olympics China, Mr. Wang Zhijun, Chief of Public Relations and Marketing from Special Olympics International, Leslie Aun and Special Olympics East Asia Managing Director, Anna Chan.

Runners cross a bridge during the 3.5 km run through Hong Kong.

Michael Corcoran, a managing director for DHL, was pleased to see the healthy turnout for the event. As a first time spectator at a Special Olympics event, he said he was touched by the attitude of the athletes.

"This is the first time I've seen a torch run," he added. "Seeing the enthusiasm and passion behind the Flame of Hope is fantastic."