Challenge Yourself to Change Lives at the Fifth Annual Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is pleased to announce that Scott Keogh, President of Audi of America, will serve as Chairman of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Washington, D.C. Nearly 1,500 people are expected to participate in the Challenge – a charity walk, run and ride to benefit Best Buddies International - on October 17.

Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports and owner of the Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards, and his wife, Lynn Leonsis, will serve as Honorary Chairs of the event along with Best Buddies participant Ken Holden.

"In this fifth year of our partnership, our employees can watch the impact of the Best Buddies Challenge: Washington D.C. in our hometown," said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. "This is always such a special event for Audi, bringing together over 100 employees to help raise even more funds with Best Buddies International this year. We share Best Buddies' mission of improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and know this will be the most successful ride yet."

This year, there will be three cycling options: 100-miles, 62-miles, or 20-miles. The 100-mile route will be led by Tour de France cycling legend George Hincapie - one of the most recognized cyclists in the world, with numerous world championships, national championships and professional victories to his credit - and will proceed northwest along the Potomac via scenic country roads, and rolling hills, past horse farms and historic estates, and countless vineyards, on the way to Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. 62-mile and 100-mile cyclists will leave Washington, D.C., and ride through the countryside into Loudoun County, Virginia where all participants will finish at Morven Park and gather for a gourmet lunch and concert in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

"We are thrilled to be returning to Washington, D.C, where this organization first began, for our fifth Challenge and we are delighted that Ted and Lynn Leonsis and Ken Holden will join us as Honorary Chairs of this event," says Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. "Their commitment to the cause - along with that of all Challenge participants - has helped bring an even greater awareness to the infinite abilities people with intellectual and developmental disabilities possess, and in turn, an outpouring of support for the Best Buddies mission."

The Challenge, which is open to participants of all ages and abilities and is designed to showcase the Best Buddies mission in action, also features the 5K run/walk Carl Lewis Challenge. More than 800 students from local schools and colleges are expected to participate in the 5K.

Several other special guests are also expected to attend, including; Actor Griffin Gluck; Miss Teen USA 2014 K. Lee Graham; Miss District of Columbia USA 2014 Ciera Nicole Butts; Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 2014 Dominick Fink; and Miss Virginia USA 2014 Arielle Rosmarino.

The Challenge will be capped off with tours of the historic Virginia governor's mansion, a victory celebration at the Finish Line at Morven Park, and an award ceremony.

Audi is returning for the fifth year as Title Sponsor of the Challenge. More than 100 Audi employees are expected to participate in the festivities as part of Team Audi, with the goal of raising even more than in past years.

Additional Challenge sponsors include: Audi of America, May Liang & Jim Lintott, Gerry & Penney Klingman, Rosetta Stone, Capital Trust Group, Pepsi, FIJI Water, Jan Brandt, Jonathan Kling, Jim Feldman, Raul Fernandez, Senator Mark Warner, Geico, Cannondale, The Fairmont Washington D.C., Goorin Bros, Loudoun Hunt, Pilot Freight Services, Total Wine & More and media sponsors, Getty Images, Niche Media/Capitol File Magazine and Bicycling Magazine.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES  INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,700 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 800,000 people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies. 

About Audi
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe during 2012, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Through 2016, AUDI AG will invest about $17 billion on new products, facilities and technologies.  Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com  for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

CONTACT:
To become a Challenge sponsor:
Bethany Becker
202-568-8031
[email protected]

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SOURCE Best Buddies International