Special Olympics Illinois and Six Flags Great America to host annual Coaster Challenge

Six Flags Great America and Special Olympics Illinois will again join forces for the 2022 Coaster Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 17. The event helps to take the run out of racing, allowing participants to ride their way to the finish line, all while raising fund to support programming for Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

Participants complete registration for $25, then choose the distance they want to travel on Six Flags Great America's world-class roller coasters. Options include the equivalent of a 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon.

This year's Coaster Challenge Ambassadors are Ava Krall and Reegan Welte, a Unified pair from Byron High School in Byron. The two first met their freshman year where they spent time together playing different games and activities. Since then, their friendship has grown.

They are both very excited to be this year's Coaster Challenge Ambassadors. When asked what it means to be an ambassador, Ava said it's a leader who is passionate about what they are standing up for. Reegan added that she's excited for the chance to represent herself, her community, and Special Olympics Illinois.

Ava and Reegan can't wait to have fun and ride roller coasters at this year's Coaster Challenge,

Those participating will receive early entry to the park to kick start their day. Plus, challengers will get VIP access to ride Batman: The Ride; The Flash: Vertical Velocity; The Joker Free-Fly Coaster; and Little Dipper from 9 to 11 a.m. VIP early entry allows participants to get extra laps in before the park opens. All participants will receive a "The Flash Pass" to all roller coasters until 1 p.m.

Coaster Challenge participants can choose from four different fundraising levels. Each level corresponds to a required fundraising minimum per participant.

Fundraising Levels:

• 5K: $150 fundraising minimum

• 10K: $300 fundraising minimum

• Half marathon: $500 fundraising minimum

• Marathon: $1,000 fundraising minimum

Participants will have their scorecard stamped as they exit each ride, and the total distance will be tallied when they check in at the scoring table, upon completion.

Once participants have completed their riding distance, medals will be awarded, and participants can feel free to stay and enjoy all the benefits that Six Flags has to offer. Participants will receive additional fundraising benefits with each increment achieved.

Thank you to Six Flags Great America, Jewel-Osco and Shaw Media for sponsoring this event.

For more information, visit www.coasterchallenge.com.

Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 9,000 Young Athletes, ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development.

If you are interested in being a part of Special Olympics Illinois and its vision, contact your local region, call (800) 394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.

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