Two brothers — Timothy and Anthony Shriver — along with their two respective organizations — the Special Olympics and Best Buddies International — will join forces to honor their mother with the first Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge.
“I think it is a wonderful way for everyone to celebrate a person who made a huge impact on the citizens of Washington, D.C., both those with special challenges as well as hundreds if not thousands she engaged in volunteer service during the course of her lifetime,” Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver said.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge will kick off at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Washington Monument and will include a 20-mile cycling event led by D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Tour de France cyclists Bobby Julich and Christian Vande Velde, followed by a 5k run and a 3k walk led by Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.
After the races, “American Idol” pop star David Archuleta will perform for participants at a luncheon.
Shriver tells Yeas & Nays the EKS Challenge was a response to “people looking forward to supporting two great organizations that were inspired by her [Eunice Kennedy Shriver] and looking for a way to get involved in a unified, fun and important activity that gets your body pumping and your spirit raised.”
More than 600 people, including Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, have signed up to support this event.
