Special Olympics Awarded $5,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield

Big event in Andover on September 27

September 19, 2014 • Saved under Other Organizations
Press release

Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in support of the inaugural Rail Trail Run and Ride community fitness fundraiser being held on Saturday, September 27, in Andover, making Blue Cross Blue Shield the event’s largest sponsor.

The Rail Trail Run and Ride event will be all-inclusive, featuring a variety of running and bicycling races and a fall festival all rolled into one.

This event is designed to be welcoming for people of all ages and abilities, from the most avid runners and cyclists to the most novice beginners, with 5K and 10K running/walking events and a 50K bicycling event. All of the races start and finish at Proctor Academy’s Carr Field on Main Street.

Families can join in the fun during a 4.5-mile family bike ride beginning at the Highland Lake Inn in East Andover and traveling the Northern Rail Trail to Proctor Academy’s Carr Field. A race for children under the age of 10 will also be held at Carr Field.

Unique awards categories are being offered in the 5K race to promote inclusion in community fitness activities, including Special Olympics and Unified team awards categories.

All of the races will take place amidst the beauty of the Northern Rail Trail and conclude at Proctor Academy, where a family fun festival will be taking place with food, entertainment, and more.

“We are thrilled to support this terrific event,” said Chris Dugan, director of public relations, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We have been proud partners of Special Olympics New Hampshire in the past and glad to collaborate with this wonderful organization again.”

“We are grateful to the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation for their support of this inclusive community fitness event to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics New Hampshire. This partnership will help us host a successful first-year event, while participants with and without intellectual disabilities have the chance to enjoy a beautiful day on the Northern Rail Trail,” said SONH president Mary Conroy.

Make your race plans today by registering at BikeReg.com/RailTrailRunOrRide.

More information is available by visiting SONH.org or Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsNH or by contacting SONH Development Director Chelsea Gill at 624-1250 ext. 42 or ChelseaG@nullSONH.org.