BETHEL — More than 20,000 people from across the nation are expected to participate this spring and summer in a journey from Augusta to Los Angeles.

The Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America  is a movement for respect and inclusion, Kelly Kass, Bank of America spokeswoman, said last week in an email.

On Jan. 27, Special Olympics and Bank of America announced they’ve joined together to create the first Unified Relay, a cross country event that will carry the Flame of Hope to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

The relay is intended to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

The relay will follow three routes simultaneously and pass through all 50 states over 46 days. Individuals, families and businesses will participate to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion in a variety of ways — by running, walking, skating or biking in the relay; volunteering; or simply cheering on participants.

The event will take place from May 26 to July 10, with routes beginning in Augusta, Washington, D.C., and Miami, Fla.

Kass said Monday in San Diego, Calif., that organizers are expecting potentially millions of spectators along the three routes.

“Each route was designed and chosen to reach every state in an effort to bring all people together to rally around this important cause,” she said.

The relay will come to Augusta on May 26. It will follow Route 202 from Augusta to Winthrop, Route 133 to Wayne, Route 219 to West Paris, Route 26 to Bethel and Gilead, and on through New Hampshire to Montpelier, Vt.

“We’re encouraging everyone to spread the word and get involved by visiting www.unifiedrelay.org,” she said.

Participants who sign up to carry the torch will need to pledge to raise a targeted amount, Kass said.

“Signups are currently underway, as we officially launched registration last Tuesday,” she said.

People can participate by registering as an individual or as a team of torchbearers for a half-mile walk or run segment or a five-mile bicycle segment in an area of interest across the nation.

“The Unified Relay was created in part to provide a chance for all people to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion in a variety of ways — by running/walking/skating in the relay, volunteering or simply cheering the participants and athletes on,” Kass said.

There will be 132 community celebrations as the flame stops in towns and cities, including musical performances, sports experiences and celebrity appearances. But Kass said they haven’t finalized what events will be held where in Maine.

Bank of America has partnered with Special Olympics for more than 30 years, and is committed to inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, she said.

“More than 2,000 Bank of America employees have volunteered with Special Olympics over the past 18 months alone, logging nearly 12,000 hours,” Kass said.

To view an interactive map of the route from Maine, visit uraa.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=519.

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