What___________ The Challenge features a number of events starting and ending at the Washington Monument on the National Mall led by Mayor Adrian Fenty, Honorary Chair of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge. 20-mile cycling event 5K run 3K walk Youth Fun Runs Criterium Friendship Races Athlete/Buddy Single Race Corporate Tandem Race Open Tandem Relay Mom's Challenge Family Challenge Celebrity and Athlete/Buddy Tandem Race An awards ceremony and private luncheon following the conclusion of the athletic events When Saturday, October 23 starting at 7:30 a.m. Where Washington Monument, Washington, DC

Why There are approximately 200 million people in the world with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) representing approximately three percent of the global population. Tragically, a great number of people with IDD are stereotyped and marginalized and live life as an invisible minority. Without the education and promotion of inclusion, societal ignorance will continue to foster a cycle that leads to social, physical and economic isolation. Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with IDD. Special Olympics is a global organization that uses sports as a catalyst to change society's perceptions and treatment of people with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies participants and Special Olympics athletes have reached millions of milestones over the last decades. However, there are many areas of the country and regions of the world that still lack programs to help people with IDD become a part of mainstream society. Together, Best Buddies and Special Olympics have taken the torch from Eunice Kennedy Shriver to become the driving force behind the nation's disabilities movement.

Carl Lewis and his buddy Chris Gay

On July 20, 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver set out on a lifelong pursuit to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities had an opportunity and a place in this world. She sought inclusion in our classrooms, on our playing fields, in our workforce and in our neighborhoods at the first Special Olympics Games held in Chicago, Illinois. Little did Shriver, the 100 attendees in the stands and the 1,000 athletes on the playing field know that they would be the driving force of the nation's disabilities movement, the growth of Special Olympics International and the inspiration for Best Buddies International. Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants have reached millions of milestones over the last three decades—milestones that would not have been reached without the passion, drive, commitment and persistence Eunice Kennedy Shriver embodied.

Anthony and Timothy Shriver have announced an official event that will pay tribute to the vision, commitment and achievements of Mrs. Shriver and the tradition of making a difference that began in her backyard.