The Special Olympics Flame of Hope travelled through central Hastings on Saturday, ahead of the National Summer Games in Wellington on November 27.
The event, which is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), saw 10 Hawke's Bay police join some of the region's top Special Olympics athletes.
Sports co-ordinator of Special Olympics Hawke's Bay and team manager, Margaret Baker said it "went really well."
"We were well received walking through the town with people tooting and others clapping and cheering."
"The police were marvellous and all took turns with the athletes holding the torch while we walked."
Despite originally intending to walk from the Hastings Police Station on Railway Rd, finishing at Mitre 10 Mega, the group looped their way back to the station.
Along the way, they passed through the Kmart Carpark and the Hastings CBD - taking a total of 40 minutes.
She said "hopefully now a few more people are aware of the Special Olympics now."
Half of the 60 athletes scheduled to compete in the Special Olympics took part in the event - as a couple of other competitions were being held at the same time, including a taekwondo tournament at Irongate School.
Up to 50 people including athletes, police, coaches and family members took part in the event.
Hawke's Bay Police dog section's Senior Constable Andrew Knox said it was "absolutely fantastic".
He said it could have gone all day if no distance was set.
"My understanding is to get police involved with special Olympics athletes and community when it comes around every four years. The Torch Run is all about the athletes."
"It was a great day and nice to see all the athletes. We are really happy we were involved," Mr Knox said.
He said the next time it came through the Bay, they hoped they could complete a relay and involve the Fire Service and other members of the community.
The LETR started in Kerikeri and Invercargill on September 30, and two torches are currently travelling up and down the islands, meeting at Parliament on Friday, November 24.
Similar in style to the Olympic torch relay, the Hastings leg of the LETR is one of 31 torch run and fundraising events that raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics movement.
More than 1300 athletes from 42 Special Olympics Clubs and three schools will take part in this year's Games, which will take place from November 27 to December 1.
Held every four years, the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games is the largest event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand.
The games are run by Special Olympics New Zealand, which provides a year-round programme of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.