Local Teen to Fundraise, Ride Marathon during Special Olympics Coaster Challenge

Thirteen-year-old Lily Pasquarelli is an eighth grader at Jane Addams Junior High. After participating in the Polar Plunge earlier in the year, Lily has set her sights on riding the distance of a marathon at the Six Flags Coaster Challenge benefiting Special Olympics Illinois on September 24. To date, Lily has surpassed $1,000 in fundraising.

One of Lily's Coaster Challenge team members has a son, Matthew, who competes in Special Olympics. Lily met Matthew several years ago while being a buddy in her softball program with the Bartlett Challengers Baseball League, a team that Matthew plays with. Matthew and his family came out to support Lily in the Polar Plunge and his parents joined Lily's team for the Coaster Challenge.

Special Olympics Illinois will host the 4th Annual Coaster Challenge at Six Flags Great America. The inaugural Coaster Challenge included over 220 registered participants who are working towards a goal of $100,000.

Says Lily, "I love raising money for Special Olympics! It's a fun way to raise money and awareness for a great cause. I love helping Special Olympics and riding roller coasters so it's a perfect combination."

Participants simply register, fundraise, and ride the distance of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or a Marathon (26.2 miles) on Six Flags Great America's world-class roller coasters. Participants will receive additional fundraising benefits with each increment achieved and they will have their scorecard stamped as they exit each ride.

Six Flags will open the Raging Bull and the Joker at 9 a.m. on Sept. 24 prior to the park opening at 11 a.m. so individuals have a chance to complete their distance if desired. All participants will receive a Flash Pass to all roller coasters until 1 p.m.

After their race is complete, medals will be awarded and participants can feel free to stay and enjoy all the benefits that Six Flags has to offer. To top it off, it is the first weekend of Fright Fest!

Six Flags Great America, Chicago's B96 and Daily Herald are sponsors of the event.

Registration is now open at www.coasterchallenge.com. All proceeds benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

If you would like to help Lily reach her fundraising goal, please visit her page at soill.donordrive.com/participant/Lily to make a donation.