Lacing up the sneakers and hitting the pavement for long, grueling runs is how three Special Olympics volunteers decided to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics North Carolina.

A marathon is usually the “ultimate” test for a runner. But 26 miles simply wasn’t enough for Sarah Lowell of Macon County. She wanted a bigger challenge both mentally and physically. In early 2008, Lowell got hooked on ultra-running and decided to see if she could become the first woman to compete in both the hottest and coldest ultra-races in the world. An ultra-marathon event is usually 30 miles, 50 miles or 100 + miles long and can take as long as 60 or more hours to complete. From January to July, Lowell raced in numerous events and endured the coldest of temperatures (-52 degrees) in the Artic and the hottest (120 degrees) in Death Valley, exposing her body to wind, snow and ice as well as scorching, dry, desert conditions.

To motivate her during her races, Lowell added Special Olympics to her challenge. She raised funds for the local Macon County program through a personal firstgiving.com web page and spoke about Special Olympics whenever interviewed about her feat. For the past 24 years, she has been a dedicated volunteer for Special Olympics Macon County. She treasures the friendships and experiences she has had with Special Olympics athletes throughout the years.

“The enthusiasm, positive attitude and love that they carry with them spills over and affects all of us in the most positive way imaginable,” said Lowell. “It is a celebration that truly brings people together.”

Lowell completed her arduous goal and raised $2,300 for Special Olympics Macon County. Local coordinator Jennifer Garrett was astonished at Lowell’s accomplishment and her support of Special Olympics.

“I’m just floored anyone can physically do what Sarah did,” said Garrett. “And I’m so thankful for her support of our local program. The publicity the program gained and the funds that were raised from her efforts have really generated a lot of community interest in Special Olympics and we needed that.”

Matthew Burdick of Raleigh lost a brother to leukemia at a very young age. In 2001, the former Wake Forest University football player and avid runner decided the perfect way to honor his brother’s memory was to run a marathon to raise funds for a different charity every year. In 2007, he directed his efforts towards Special Olympics North Carolina and raised $10,000. He and his wife were so impressed with the talents and skills of SONC athletes, the two volunteered at the volleyball venue at the 2008 SONC Summer Games.

Carrie Suss of Raleigh is also pounding the pavement to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Her goal is to run 2,000 miles by the end of 2008. The president and chief financial officer at her employer, Citadel Contractors, are also Special Olympics supporters and pledged 50 cents per-mile. Many other co-workers have pledged per- mile or made a donation on her personal firstgiving.com web page. Suss made her fundraising goal personal when she met Special Olympics Johnston County Alpine skier Matthew Carpenter and promised to raise the funds to make his dream of attending the Special Olympics World Winter Games in February 2009 a reality. Suss averages 45-65 miles a week in training and then runs in races ranging from 5k’s to marathons.

“It was such a treat to meet and talk to Matthew,” said Suss. “On the days I don’t want to take another step, I think of him. He has made all this running worthwhile.”

For more information on donating to Special Olympics or exploring unique options to support SONC athletes, contact Olivia Laney, SONC sr. vice president of finance & resource development, at olaney@sonc.net or 919-719-7662 ext 107.

For more information, contact Megan O'Donnell, vice president of communications for SONC, at 919-719-7662 ext. 106 or modonnell@sonc.net.