Six Flags coaster marathon raises funds for Special Olympics
The 2014 Coaster Challenge at Six Flags Great America on Sunday proved you don't have to be on your feet to do a marathon.
But while participants may have been resting their legs during the Special Olympics Illinois fundraiser, their lungs got quite a workout from all the screaming.
This was the first year for the challenge, which has participants riding the distance of a 5K, 10K or marathon (26.2 miles) on the amusement park's roller coasters, including the Raging Bull and Goliath. It's the result of a unique partnership between Special Olympics Illinois and Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.
Jennifer Marcello, director of young athletes for Special Olympics Illinois, said 214 riders participated in the event, raising $49,000 for the cause.
"You can't really ask for a better first-time event," she said.
The event attracted both roller coaster enthusiasts and supporters of Special Olympics.
Among the former was Jennifer Miller, a Six Flags season pass holder from West Bend, Wisconsin.
"It's my kind of marathon. No running involved. And believe it or not, I work in fitness. I just don't like running," she said.
This was her 12th visit to the park.
"The next nearest theme park would be in the (Wisconsin) Dells, and they don't have as many coasters," she said.
Those who were there to support Special Olympics included Carol Bishop of Palatine.
"We have two special little kids in our family, our little rock stars, who hopefully will be old enough someday to be in the Special Olympics," she said.
Linda Yoakam of Naperville participated in the 5K with her 27-year-old son, Billy, a Special Olympian in basketball, track and field, gymnastics and power lifting.
"Special Olympics has increased his social network and has given him gross motor skills that he didn't have before," she said.
Patrons were greeted at the gate by Rikki Kirsch, a 20-year-old Shorewood resident who participated in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. She also handed out medals to the riders.
Among the riders were roller coaster enthusiasts Jeremy Wdowicki of McHenry and Christian Warren, 16, of Cary.
"It's a ton of fun," Warren said of the fundraiser. "It's different. And it's for a great cause."
Fox Lake Village Clerk Niki Warden, who rode the Raging Bull 17 times in a row, said lifting her arms during the ride helped deal with its huge drops and sudden twists and turns.
"It made me flow better, so I didn't get that loop-de-loop or that motion sickness feeling," she said.