Andrew's Hoosier Holiday Challenge

500 Festival Running Ambassador and Special Olympics Athlete Andrew Peterson has his eyes set on a big goal: complete the 150 miles of the Hoosier Holiday Challenge, presented by Khamis Fine Jewelers, benefitting Gleaners, in three days across Indianapolis! Andrew will start his journey on Tuesday, Nov. 10 and continue through Thursday, Nov. 12.

Andrew Peterson is a Special Olympics Marathoner and 500 Festival Running Ambassador. Born with fetal alcohol syndrome, Andrew works to break running barriers while sharing lessons of inclusion and respect. When Andrew found out about a new virtual challenge to try, he knew he wanted to set a big goal for himself with it. While challengers have two months to complete their mileage, Andrew believes that completing the distance over three days would be an inspiring way to raise more awareness for the two nonprofits supported by the challenge: The 500 Festival and Gleaners.

“I’m excited to run 150 miles over three days to promote the Hoosier Holiday Challenge and raise money for Gleaners,” said Andrew Peterson. “I am so thankful for the support of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis running community as I complete this challenge. I encourage everyone to set their own goals to join me in their own way.”

Andrew will run for approximately 8 hours a day for three days across different sites in Indianapolis, including the Monon Trail, Cultural Trail, the Canal Walk, and Eagle Creek Park.

“It’s been incredible to have so many people embrace the 500 Festival’s virtual fitness initiatives during this unprecedented year, said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Andrew is a beacon of adversity, overcoming so much through running and using that to spread a message of inclusion and respect. We’re all cheering for Andrew as he completes his Hoosier Holiday Challenge in a unique and inspiring way.”

For every registration for the Hoosier Holiday Challenge we receive during Andrew's journey, the 500 Festival will donate an additional $5 to Gleaners! Click here to register now.

Follow @500Festival, @NOLimitsAndrew and #HoosierHoliday on social media for updates on Andrew's journey to 150 miles! We'll update everyone on his runs each day- where he goes and who he inspires every mile. Share a post to cheer on Andrew and tell us why you're doing the challenge, too!

Gleaners was founded in 1980 by a group of concerned citizens who felt strongly that no one should go hungry. Since that time, they have distributed more than 520 million pounds of food and critical grocery through a committed network of more than 550 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and community partners throughout their 21-county service area. In addition to food distribution to hunger relief agencies, Gleaners serves our most vulnerable populations – seniors, veterans and children – through specialty programs such as the BackSacks: Weekend Food for Kids, School-Based Pantry, Mobile Pantry, Summer Meals for Kids, CARE, Produce Hope and Senior Hunger Initiative programs. Gleaners also operates one of 7 Regional Produce Cooperatives for Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization.

Due to an overwhelming amount of support, we have increased the donation goal to $15,000. Thank you to everyone who has already donated to help provide meals to hungry Hoosiers.

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