With classic Olympic music playing over the speakers, dozens of runners of all ages and abilities 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."

Liam Tierney of Wareham, a Special Olympian who plays on the Wareham Wild Vikings basketball team, was a guest speaker.

Tierney, who is 21 years old and suffers from seizures and Asperger's syndrome, spoke of what the Special Olympics mean to him.

Tierney's mother and father started the team because Tierney and his brother wanted to play basketball, "but couldn't [on a traditional team] because of our disabilities."

"Special Olympics has helped me socially and physically," Tierney told the crowd. "It's really changed my life."

In addition to Samuelson, the gold medalist, the event featured former New England Patriots Joe Andruzzi and Steve Nelson, and former Boston Celtic Chris Herren.

Maria Stephanos of Fox 25 in Boston hosted the ceremony.

The entire Wareham Wild Vikings Special Olympics basketball team was awarded Braveheart awards, for a buzzer-beating performance during last winter's Special Olympics. Wareham tied in wins with two other teams, so all earned the gold medal.

Wareham resident Diane Whittaker, who raises money to purchase protective vests for working police dogs through nonprofit Vest-A-Dog, was honored. Whittaker also created a canine first-aid kit for the furry crime-fighters.

Other area 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.

Bob Mercer, owner of Bob's Sea & Ski in New Bedford, was honored for continually raising funds for the Special Olympics through ski trips and other events.

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.

Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father-son running team — 72-year-old Dick pushes his son in a wheelchair — were also honored. The pair promotes awareness of disabilities while competing in the Boston Marathon and other running events.

The celebrity athletes were also honored. Samuelson was honored for her Olympic accomplishments and dedication to helping others; Andruzzi was honored for his work with his wife in raising funding for pediatric brain cancer research. Andruzzi later fought and beat his own battle with lymphoma; Nelson was honored for his work in advocating for people with special needs; Herren was honored for his work in encouraging high school students to stay drug-free. Herren's basketball career was ended because of his own drug addictions. He has been sober since 2008.

"This is what life is all about. Community," Stephanos told the crowd as she handed out the Braveheart awards.

It was a sentiment echoed by Ellyne Fleshner, regional retail manager for WS Development.

"It's all about community," Fleshner said, noting that Wareham is among the most tight-knit ones that she has encountered.