PEORIA (25News Now) – Peoria-area runners are taking on a grueling physical challenge to support veterans. They will be running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours this weekend.
The fitness challenge began Friday at 6pm and will continue for the rest of the weekend. Every four hours, participants run four miles on an outdoor trail behind Peoria’s House Barbell Club. After each run, group members typically have about three hours of rest and recovery in the gym.
All proceeds from this challenge will be donated to The Resilience Project, a charity started by two local veterans. The organization’s goal is to help veterans stay active and ease their transition back into civilian life. The Resilience Project pays gym memberships for disabled veterans and helps veterans connect with personal trainers. There are also social events that help ex-servicemen find a community, as many found out during their time in service.
Participant Ben Dague said his motivation for running 78 miles this weekend was “to think about all the people who have served our country and have seen and gone through hardships I can’t even imagine. This is a small proof of that.”
Their goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of the weekend. Athletes taking on the challenge are encouraging the public to join them on a four-mile leg run on the trail. It will run every 10:00, 2:00, and 6:00 during the challenge. The final run begins Sunday at 2 p.m. at Haus Barbell Club in Peoria. Organizers hope as many people as possible can take part in that final race.
All funds raised through the fitness event stay local and benefit veterans in the Peoria area.
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