With classic Olympic music playing over the speakers, dozens of runners of all ages and abilities, including a few Marion and Rochester residents, raced along a curvy track as family members and friends cheered them on.

The crowd erupted in applause as all completed the run.

Then, Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson lit the torch, and the third annual Braveheart Awards ceremony at Wareham Crossing, which honors community members who have made a positive impact in the lives of others, officially began.

This year's ceremony, held Saturday, was inspired by the 2012 Olympic games in London, explained David Fleming, director of corporate marketing for WS Development, which operates Wareham Crossing.

Therefore, the Special Olympics of Massachusetts was chosen as a partner and beneficiary of the event.

The Special Olympics "encourages bravery in its athletes year-round," Fleming explained, adding that the athletes are "inspirational to all those around them."

Local Bravehearts included Jan Aarsheim of Marion, who rounded up donations of clothing and gift certificates, loaded them into her own plane, and flew to Indiana to provide relief to tornado victims earlier this year.

Sisters Arissa and Deianeira Underhill of Rochester were honored for their ongoing selfless efforts to help various causes, including Locks of Love and Camp Sunshine — a Maine camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The sisters, ages 16 and 14, respectively, also adopted and care for a physically- and mentally-handicapped dog.