Special Needs Relay Team Joins over 3,000 Runners at Sunday’s Ion Bank Cheshire Road Races!

The Ion Bank Cheshire Road Races expects a record crowd of over 3,000 runners this Sunday, April 30! The event includes a half marathon, 2-person relay, 5K & Ion Insurance Kids Fun Run. Runners and walkers can refuel at the post-race party offering delicious food, refreshments, live music and awards ceremony. Participants and spectators are invited to join us for the United HealthCare Healthy & Active Living Festival that features family activities and a variety of health, nutritional and medical services.

For the second consecutive year, Best Buddies CT has teamed up with the student chapter of Best Buddies at Quinnipiac University for the Buddy Hero Relay. Each runner has intellectual and developmental disabilities and is running with a peer without special needs for the 5K or a portion of the half marathon. Buddy Hero Relay members are running in honor of their friends in Best Buddies to raise funds to open more programs in Connecticut. Team Best Buddies will have 72 participants in total with a fundraising goal of $35,000.

The Cheshire Road Races is proud to benefit local organizations that are dedicated to helping children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. The event’s signature charities include Abilities Without Boundaries, SARAH Foundation, Best Buddies CT and Cheshire Lions Club. Each organization plays a part in the Ion Bank Cheshire Road Races, from filling race packets, volunteering at packet pick-up and even running the races! The mission of these special needs students is to show that those with disabilities are “Crossing Finish Lines” in walks, road races and other challenges they face daily.

The event would not be possible with the support of its generous sponsors. Major sponsors include Ion Bank, Ion Insurance, Audi of Wallingford, Porsche of Wallingford, UnitedHealthcare, JetBlue, Yale New Haven Health and OrthoNOW Center for Orthopaedic Specialists. To learn more or to register for the event, visit www.cheshirehalfmarathon.org or call (203) 481-5933.