Local CrossFit athletes to join in 'Row Raiser' for Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois has teamed with 12 workout facilities around the state for a statewide fundraiser called "Row Raiser" that challenges teams of 10 to pull a distance of a marathon (26.2 miles) on a row machine in the shortest amount of time. Proceeds benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

The Row Raiser will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at 12 locations around the state:

• CrossFit 333, 333 N. Randall Road, St. Charles

• CrossFit Pally, 540 W. Colfax, Palatine

• Lincoln Park CrossFit, 2727 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

• CrossFit Defined, 2750 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago

• CrossFit Bloomington, 401 Bronco Drive, Unit D, Bloomington

• CrossFit Henosis, 500 N. Oakland Ave., Carbondale

• Unyoked CrossFit, 2413 Village Green Place, Champaign

• CrossFit Galena, 239 N. Main St., Galena

• Quad City CrossFit, 3800 River Drive, Moline

• CrossFit 350, 711 W. Joliet St., Ottawa

• QTown CrossFit, at CVS Parking lot, 30th & Broadway, Quincy

• CrossFit Influence, 708 Walnut Circle, Wapella

Fee to participate is $50 per person/$500 per team. Those interested can register at www.rowraiser.com. Awards will be given in a variety of categories such as fastest marathon.

The first "Row Raiser" was held in Quincy in 2015. Organized by CrossFit athlete Sam Dancer, the first event raised $10,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. This year, the "Row Raiser" is being held in 12 Illinois cities with the goal of raising $100,000.

Since partnering with Special Olympics Illinois Southwestern/Area 11, Sam Dancer and his staff opened their hearts to training a few "special" athletes. This has made QTOWN CrossFit a model of inclusion for the CrossFit community. As the relationships grew, so did the desire to impact more Special Olympics athletes through raising funds and awareness statewide.

Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 20,000 young athletes, age 2-7, with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call (800) 394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.