June 04, 2025
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Special Olympics Illinois and Six Flags Great America host 2021 Coaster Challenge

276 participants raised more than $60,000 to support athletes

By Lake County Journal staff report
In this file photo, riders have fun on the Raging Bull during the Coaster Challenge at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. The event was a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois.

In this file photo, riders have fun on the Raging Bull during the Coaster Challenge at Six Flags Great America on Sept. 28 in Gurnee. The event was a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois. (Candace H)

GURNEE – Six Flags Great America and Special Olympics Illinois teamed up Sept. 18 to host the 2021 Coaster Challenge.

The event let participants ride their way to the finish line in support of Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

This year, 276 participants took the challenge and raised about $60,000 to help provide life-changing programming for the more than 23,000 Special Olympics Illinois athletes across the state. After completing registration for $25, the challengers chose the distance they wanted to travel on Six Flags Great America’s world-class roller coasters. Options included the equivalent of a 5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon.

The Coaster Challenge honored a unified pair as ambassadors. Unified pairs consist of a Special Olympics Illinois athlete with an intellectual disability and a peer partner without an intellectual disability. The 2021 ambassadors were MJ and Carter from Naperville.

MJ has been involved with Special Olympics for 2 1/2 years, beginning when he started his freshman year of high school. He hopes he and Carter can continue their quest of creating, constructing and building a more unified, inclusive, interconnected and strong school that he envisions. MJ’s favorite moments of being involved in unified programming are the opportunities to go to many places with friends outside of school. He also loves the many opportunities he has been afforded that have helped with his public speaking and self-advocacy.

Carter has been around Special Olympics for about five years. He has been a unified partner for three years, and his sister was a unified partner before him. Carter first got involved with Unified Champion Schools two years ago, when he attended the Youth Activation Summit. Carter competes in unified track and field and basketball and participates in unified fitness. He also helps with swimming. His favorite memory is taking bus rides to away basketball games and listening to music with his teammates as they got hyped up for the games. Aside from Special Olympics, Carter spends a majority of his time playing video games and working as a car detailer at a car wash.

Participants in the Coaster Challenge received early entry to Six Flags Great America and VIP access to ride Raging Bull, Maxx Force, Viper and Whizzer from 9 to 11 a.m. VIP early entry allowed participants to get extra laps in before the park opened. Participants received a Flash pass to all roller coasters until 1 p.m.

Coaster Challenge participants chose from four fundraising levels. Each level had a fundraising minimum for the participant. Fundraising levels were 5K ($150 minimum), 10K ($300 minimum), half-marathon ($500 minimum) and marathon ($1,000 minimum).

Participants had their scorecards stamped as they exited each ride. The total distance was tallied at the scoring table upon completion.

Once participants completed their riding distances, medals were awarded, and participants were free to enjoy Six Flags Great America.

Shaw Media, Six Flags Great America, Jewel-Osco, B96 Chicago and 102.3 WXLC sponsored the event.

For information, visit www.coasterchallenge.com.