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It was a record-setting Saturday afternoon at the 13th annual Special Olympics Southern California Plane Pull© at Long Beach Airport.
The event attracted 5,000 people, including a record 61 registered teams. Each team, comprised of 25 individuals, competed to see who could pull a 124,000-pound FedEx cargo plane 12 feet the fastest.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Custody Division won the event for a second year in a row, clocking in at 5.32 seconds. Team Wolfpack finished a close second at 5.34 seconds.
\”I like how positive it is,\” said Amanda Rothans, Deputy Sheriff Recruiter for the Los Angeles County Sheriff\’s Department. \”It\’s been a very friendly, competitive environment.\”
More than $198,000 was raised, pushing the cumulative total for the event’s history over $1 million.
“It gets better each year,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “To see the way our partners with the Law Enforcement Torch Run have stepped up, raising a record amount of money, it’s just a great, great day for Special Olympics and for our athletes.
“It just shows how much we’re continuing to reach out, connect and engage a lot of various members and groups in the community.”
In addition, to start the day, 250 runners participated in the inaugural Fun Run and Inclusion Walk presented by the Smile Generation. Other activities included the High Flying Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, a Functional Fitness competition and a kids’ Plane Pull.
Social Media Buzz
All throughout the day, participants were proudly showing how their team fared.
@JailsLASD won the plane pull last year, we will see if they can pull off a back to back \”W\” pic.twitter.com/8K3d8SMzep
— LA County Sheriff\’s (@LASDHQ) August 18, 2018
#OCSD all female team participated in the @Sosocal #SOSCPlanePull at @LBAirport today! 👮🏼♀️25 ladies pulled a 124,000 lb #FedEx airplane 12 feet! 🛩💪🏽 #PullLikeAGirl pic.twitter.com/37uqFfqTGI
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSD) August 18, 2018
Reppin our @lakings at today’s @SOSoCal Plane Pull this morning at Long Beach airport. Thank you to all who donated ❤️
We broke our previous record! 12 foot pull in 7.22 seconds. pic.twitter.com/QKHOnzzHc0— Richard Sanchez (@lakingsno1fan) August 19, 2018
It was our honor today to participate in @FedEx plane pull supporting @SOSoCal #SOSCPlanePull pic.twitter.com/4FdDDGMRbM
— Long Beach Fire (@lbfirefighters) August 18, 2018
Usually we push each other to succeed, but at the Special Olympics #SOSCPlanePull, we were yelling “Pull!” Thank you to all who came out to participate and cheer — whether it’s public safety or raising money for @SOSoCal, success is in teamwork pic.twitter.com/3AFYOvTm89
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) August 19, 2018
Inside the SOSC is a blog written by staff member Tracy McDannald. It is a more feature-style approach to looking inside what makes Special Olympics Southern California so unique, so special. It is meant to explore the people and their stories. One word at a time.
