Talk about a jam-packed, Dodge weekend! Three major events took place in the Chicago area this past weekend and Dodge helped make all of the events possible, and for great causes!
The weekend's headlining event was the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon where Dodge was the official automotive sponsor. The half marathon took place on the morning of Sunday, August 15th and was packed with enthusiastic runners who had traveled from across the nation to be part of such a cool event. Included in the half marathon were over 100 runners from Dodge who all came from the Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters to be a part of the event, run in the race, and support the fundraising for the American Cancer Society. A 2011 Dodge Charger and 2011 Dodge Durango were the official pace cars of the race and they led the way for the runners. All of the Dodge runners sported matching shirts that displayed the saying “Stripes Make You Faster” and they all gathered together after the race in the Dodge recovery tent along with other runners from across the nation who were all there to support the cause.
2011 Dodge Charger was an official pace car of the marathon!
Also sporting the Dodge name on their running gear were several representatives from the Challenged Athletes Foundation who participated in the race. One of the representatives from the foundation was Sarah Reinertsen, a woman who had her leg amputated when she was just 7 years old and is the first woman on a prosthetic leg to finish the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in Kona. Sarah also appeared on the CBS Reality TV show,“The Amazing Race” and she has written her biography titled “In A Single Bound”. Along with Sarah, representatives from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Dodge volunteers, and workers from the Chicago Park District all put together a swim clinic on the morning of Saturday, August 14th in Chicago that offered swim lessons to challenged athletes in the area. Swim coaches and volunteers assisted the participants as they got in the water and taught them tricks and tips for swimming easily despite any challenges they face physically. The swim clinics are a nationwide initiative and the one in Chicago this past weekend was only one of many that will be put on this year by the Challenged Athletes Foundation. CAF also raises money in order to give grants to challenged athletes across the nation to allow them to purchase expensive prosthetic limbs, hand cycles, swim lessons, or any other athletic materials that will allow the athletes to break down barriers of entry and participate in the sports that they would like.
Keeping with the themes of Dodge and charity this weekend, Dodge also hosted Ride and Drives for charity at McCormick Place in Chicago during a Health and Fitness Expo. Attendees of the expo could pick which 2011 Dodge vehicle they wanted to test drive, during which a Dodge representative would explain all the great features of the car to them, have them fill out a quick survey, and then the participant could pick whatever charity they wanted and Dodge donated $20 to that charity of their choice. Talk about a sweet deal, a free Dodge ride and drive of the amazing 2011 vehicle line-up and $20 donated to the participants favorite charity.
Dodge "Drive For Charity" Ride and Drive Team at McCormick Place
Pictures of the weekend can be seen at the Chrysler Communications Facebook Page and here are some video highlights of all the fun, inspiring, and amazing weekend events...
It truly was a weekend to remember, full of awe-inspiring stories, charitable donations, and awesome vehicles; all made possible by Dodge.
