The Police Chief at UW-Stout is used to staying in shape. But she’s got a long run coming up this fall…all in the name of supporting Special Olympics.

Lisa Walter’s running shoes will be pounding a lot of pavement during the next few months, as she prepares to run in the final leg of the international Law Enforcement Torch Run.

"I've been chosen to be the runner to represent Wisconsin,” Walter said.

Come September, Walter will run across China – from Beijing to Shanghai – to help kick-off the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

"For about 11 to 12 days prior to the opening ceremonies we are going to be running the torch throughout China to raise awareness, raise excitement."

But, this athlete won’t be running the entire length between the two cities.

"Everyday we'll be running anywhere between, my understanding is anywhere between 5 to 10 miles,” Walter said. “It will be in shorter spurts, you know, a mile here, 2 miles there."

Still, the international run for Special Olympics will require extra training. That’s something Walter’s step-daughter is happy to help with.

"She does a really good job, too," Tess Johnson said.

Throughout her eleven years of participating in Torch Runs, Walter says it’s not the physical activity she remembers most. It’s the athletes.

"I have to tell you, if you've been to any of the state games or any of our local events that happen on a lot of our college campuses, I'm telling you, you get a hug from an athlete and that's it, you're hooked."

For now, Walter is hooked on inching closer to her big run…one stride at a time.

"It's phenomenal. It's unbelievable. I still, I can't believe it's happening."

Walter will begin her trip to China on September 23rd. The Torch Run for Special Olympics will end on October 2nd at the 80,000 seat Shanghai stadium.