SOWI athletes Marquis Garner (953) and Tyler Wigington (950) pose for picture before the 2019 State Cross Country Meet
After being rescheduled due to COVID-19, the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Cross Country Meet is now returning for its second year on September 20, 2020.
This Unified event organized by the Kenosha Running Company is open to all Special Olympics athletes as well as other athletes of all ages and abilities. Similar to last year’s inaugural event, this year’s meet will have three distances available to participants: 800-meter, 1600-meter or 4K distances. Each distance is $18, while the Special Olympic Challenge allows you to participate in all three races for just $26.
Last year’s event was such a successful afternoon, that Brian Thomas of Kenosha Running Company was eager to bring it back for another go-around.
“This was such a cool event last year with all the Special Olympics athletes and people from other events jumping in to run with them and support them,” Thomas said. “There was just so much positive energy and everybody really had a great time.”
Participants in the 2019 State Cross Country Meet
Thomas is hoping that the patented Special Olympics positivity helps make this year’s event just as fun.
Although the energy will likely be the same, there will be a couple new wrinkles at this year’s event. Due to Covid-19, this year’s event was moved to Seno K/RLT Conservancy in Burlington. The new location has also required changing the 5k distance to a 4k one. But according to Thomas, the new location will make for a more enjoyable experience that’s also very social distancing friendly.
“This is a really cool setting sort of out in the country with wide trails that will allow for a cross-country start where runners can really space out,” Thomas said. “And there’s a big area between a couple bars where we’ll be able to do a firepit.”
For those who maybe aren’t in southeastern Wisconsin or who aren’t quite ready for in-person events, Thomas has also added a virtual event option this year that’s $5 for the bib or $18 for the bib and swag.
Regardless or ability or location, there are options to participate in the 2nd Annual Special Olympics Cross Country Meet.
