When the sun rose over the New York City skyline on a perfect summer morning, it wasn’t just another beautiful day in the Garden State—it was the start of something extraordinary. From Liberty Island to Ewing Township, and from bustling ferry rides to joyful family picnics, New Jersey became the proud stage for Special Olympics New Jersey’s unforgettable summer events.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the energy, spirit, and community that brought thousands together in support of inclusion and empowerment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
🗽 The 2025 Statue of Liberty 5K: Running with Purpose in an Iconic Setting
Liberty State Park set the scene, but Liberty Island stole the show. With 476 athletes, supporters, and volunteers onboard, the Statue of Liberty 5K returned in breathtaking fashion. The day began with a scenic ferry ride, a glowing sunrise over Manhattan, and opening words followed by a heartfelt Pledge of Allegiance led by SONJ athlete Charlotte.
Then, the race was on.
Runners circled the base of Lady Liberty seven times for a full 5K, while walkers completed four laps for the 3K. Together, they logged nearly 3,000 loops around one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. This one-of-a-kind event isn’t just about fitness—it’s a major fundraiser that helps fuel the mission of Special Olympics New Jersey. In total, over $71,000 was raised!
👏 A special shoutout to the top fundraisers:
- Torrie Sakalsky – $3,060
- Susan Fajen – $1,680
- Sydney Mulligan – $1,330
Thanks to the coordination of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), the National Park Service, and Statue City Cruises, this event remains a symbol of teamwork and community impact.
🔥 42nd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run: Carrying the Flame of Hope
Every June, thousands of New Jersey’s law enforcement officers ditch the squad cars and lace up their running shoes for something bigger than themselves—the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Kicking off the Summer Games weekend, over 3,000 officers from 475+ departments hit the pavement across 26 different routes, covering more than 750 miles across the state.
With a goal of raising over $600,000 this year, the Torch Run continues to be one of the most powerful and visible ways the community stands behind the athletes of SONJ.
As they pass the “Flame of Hope” from town to town, it’s a reminder that the journey to the Summer Games isn’t just about medals—it’s about unity.
🎉 The 2025 SONJ Summer Games: A Three-Day Festival of Inclusion and Achievement
From June 6–8, 2025, The College of New Jersey in Ewing transformed into a bustling hub of athleticism, celebration, and inspiration for the 2025 Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games.
Opening Ceremony Magic
The Opening Ceremony was electric. Thousands filled the stands as each county’s athletes paraded into the stadium with cheers from family, friends, volunteers, and law enforcement officers. The energy was contagious, and the excitement set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Intense Competition Across 7 Sports
Athletes brought their A-game in:
- Athletics (Track & Field)
- Bocce
- Gymnastics
- Powerlifting
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
With events spread across TCNJ’s campus and at nearby venues like Armstrong Memorial Park and Schafer Sports Center, every athlete had the chance to shine. The preparation was months in the making—and it showed. Thousands of medals were earned, but the confidence and joy gained? That’s the real prize.
🏙 Olympic Village: Fun Beyond the Field
Between competitions, Olympic Village on Trenton Hall Lawn offered family-friendly entertainment, games, and giveaways from generous Year-Round Partners. Whether you were playing mini-challenges, grabbing merch, or just soaking in the sunshine, the Village created a space for community connection and celebration.
And thanks to ShopRite, over 17,500 FREE lunches were served—just one of the many examples of long-standing support from local businesses.
🧒 Young Athletes & Future Stars
The littlest champions were center stage too! Over 115 young athletes participated in introductory sports activities like running, kicking, and balance training. The 25-meter “Future Stars Race” gave these rising athletes a moment to shine and introduced families to the joy of early inclusion.
🩺 Healthy Athletes: Wellness That Goes Beyond the Game
Inside TCNJ’s Brower Student Center, the Healthy Athletes program provided free health screenings in eight disciplines to all registered athletes—no appointment required.
Here’s how the numbers stacked up:
- Fit Feet: 498 screenings
- FUNfitness: 199 screenings
- Special Smiles: 257 screenings
- Opening Eyes: 321 screenings with 452 pairs of eyewear provided
- Healthy Hearing: 243 screenings
- Health Promotion: 418 screenings
- Strong Minds: 164 screenings
- Baseline Concussion Assessments: 216 screenings
Altogether, 728 athletes were screened and 2,316 total services were delivered—marking a new record!
💙 A Heartfelt Thank You to the Volunteers
Behind every smile, medal, and high five were thousands of volunteers making it all possible. From setting up tents to cheering on athletes to helping with logistics, these dedicated individuals are the heartbeat of SONJ. We see you—and we thank you.
🌟 What’s Next for Special Olympics New Jersey?
The summer is far from over! Here’s a look at just a few of the upcoming events you won’t want to miss:
- Camp Shriver continues through August across multiple sessions at the SONJ Sports Complex, Rowan College at Gloucester County, Ridgewood YMCA, and Field of Dreams in Toms River.
- Walking Club meets July 19 and August 16 at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township.
- Unified Fore Joy Topgolf ProAm takes place September 4, 2025 in Edison, bringing together athletes, community members, and supporters for a night of fun and fundraising.
You can see the full lineup and learn more about these incredible events on our Special Olympics New Jersey Events Page.
🎯 Why It Matters
Special Olympics New Jersey isn’t just about sports—it’s about creating a culture of inclusion, health, community, and respect. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, volunteer, or just a fan of the movement, these events remind us that greatness isn’t measured by time or score—it’s measured by heart.
So from Liberty Island to Ewing, from first-time competitors to lifelong champions, let’s keep showing up, cheering loudly, and building a more inclusive New Jersey—one event at a time.
🧭 Explore more upcoming opportunities to get involved or show your support here.
Explore New Jersey is proud to spotlight the amazing work of Special Olympics New Jersey—stay tuned for more community-driven features that celebrate the Garden State’s brightest moments.