OVER $35K RAISED FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL DELAWARE MEMORIAL BRIDGE RUN TO ACCEPTANCE FOR SPECIAL OLMPICS NOT ONLY RAISED AWARENESS BUT ALSO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OVER 4,200 PEOPLE.
NEW CASTLE (DE): More than $35,000 was raised for Special Olympics Delaware, a nonprofit that provides sports training and competition opportunities for more than 4,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For some of the runners, it was an opportunity to support an event that raises money for the very cause that has given so much to their own family.
It all got underway at the Delaware Memorial Bridge on the New Jersey side when at 7:00 am the race began towards Delaware, ending at the Vetrans Memorial Park just next to the toll plaza. Delaware Memorial Bridge Police shut down three of the four lanes on the Northbound span for the event as 329 men and women from several neighboring states embarked on the 5k run across the bridge.
The top male and female winners were Anthony Apostolico (19:46.7) of Wilmington and Emma Beisheim (21:05.9) of Newark, respectively.
“Like last year, I’m thoroughly impressed with the meticulous planning, coordination and cooperation, and significant volunteer support that made today’s event so successful,” said Tom Cook, Executive Director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) who was on hand to welcome the runners before the race and greet them afterward . “The bridge run is a win-win, bucket list type of event – participants get a chance to walk or run on the iconic Delaware Memorial Bridge and the Authority is able to help such a worthy and special community organization raise money to further their mission goals; but everyone knows that the real winners are the beneficiaries of Special Olympics Delaware.”
“It seems magical and special to be able to enjoy a run or walk on the Delaware Memorial Bridge while raising funds for Special Olympics,” said Jeannine Carrio, whose daughter participates in Special Olympics and whose husband and son have participated in all three runs. “This year, we are blessed to have family from Puerto Rico, Texas, Pittsburgh, and friends from Baltimore who came to Delaware for the weekend with the sole purpose of participating in the Bridge Run to support Special Olympics. We are humbled to be part of it.”
In addition to the outpouring of support from the DRBA, key contributors to the event included Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics, Delaware National Guard, Larkins Bus Services, Emergency Medical Service, and a host of law enforcement and fire officials from several agencies across the First State who volunteered to ensure the safety of all involved.
“This third and by far the largest Bridge Run to date could never have happened without the complete support of the DRBA and many other individuals,” said Ann Grunert, Executive Director of Special Olympics Delaware. “Their efforts as a collective group not only made this event a success but helped us achieve our goal of creating awareness of the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The funds raised by the runners and walkers help us reach more athletes.”
This third event on the bridge included an expanded field of not only active and retired first-responders, but also their family members and friends.
