Thanks to the generous support of Proctor Academy, Andover has been selected as the venue for the first annual Rail Trail Run and Ride event being held on Saturday, September 27, to benefit Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH).

A Family Festival on Proctor Academy’s Carr Field will follow 100K and 50K bike races on the Northern Rail Trail from Andover to Enfield to Grafton, and 5K and 10K runs to Potter Place and Cilleyville Road. A 4.5-mile family bike ride will begin at Highland Lake Inn and travel the Northern Rail Trail to Proctor’s Carr Field.

Organizers expect several hundred participants and guests to join in this public event.

We are looking for organizations and vendors of locally grown specialties to sell food and beverages at the event with a commitment that 50% of proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics New Hampshire.

So far, verbal commitments have been received from:

• The Andover Service Club for cakes and cookies
• The Andover Fire Department for a barbecue similar to their July event in East Andover
• The Highland Lake Apple Farm for apples and cider
• The Tilton-Northfield Rotary Club for a luncheon wagon

If your organization or business is interested in participating as a vendor in this charitable event, please contact Pecco Beaufays at Highland Lake Inn at Innkeeper@nullHighlandLakeInn.com or 735-6426. To participate in the event, visit BikeReg.com/RailTrailRunOrRide. For more information, visit SONH.org or Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsNH.

Special Olympics New Hampshire is an accredited program of Special Olympics International and is part of an international global movement that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities through sport, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. SONH was founded in 1970 with the first State Summer Games at Phillips Exeter Academy.