Tammy Busch, right, of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County, gets a high-five from coach Kelly Weber during last monthÂ’s Special Olympics snowshoeing event at Lambs Farm, near Libertyville. Participants made the best of the event, despite there being little snow on the ground.
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The course was set. The athletes were warmed up and ready to go. The crowd was pumped.
The only thing missing from the Special Olympics District Snowshoeing Competition at Lambs Farm last month was the snow.
Organizers held the event anyway, albeit on grass. The lack of snow didn’t make the day any less exciting for the 100 people from Lake and McHenry counties who attended, according to Jackie Rachev, Lambs Farm communications coordinator.
Special Olympics competitions are always fun and full of spirit, she said, and since Lambs Farm has athletes in nine different sports, it was the perfect site for the event.
“We had a great time, and our participants were thrilled to be hosts,” Rachev said.
Athletes compete for medals and ribbons. Lambs Farm fielded 19 athletes; 18 won medals and one won a ribbon.
Tammy Busch of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County races during the Special Olympics snowshoeing event at Lambs Farm, near Libertyville.
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Claudia Cortes of Maine West High School is off to the races.
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Timer Bob Lenz of Winfield is well protected from the elements. While there was no snow, bone-chilling winds were the norm for most of the event at Lambs Farm near Libertyville.
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Ruth Moyer, left, of Lambs Farm, and Annie Garfinkel, of the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association, race during the Special Olympics snowshoeing event at Lambs Farm.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com