\u201cIn my 12th and final year as the Chair of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, I am so incredibly proud of what we\u2019ve accomplished and excited to continue the spirit of inclusion and friendship that makes Best Buddies so incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maria Shriver and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom to Return as Honorary Co-Chairs of the 12th Annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle<\/p>\n

Carmel, CA, Sept. 1, 2015\u2013 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 journalist and activist Maria Shriver and Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom will return as Honorary Co-Chairs of the 12th Annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle<\/a>. More than 2,000 people are expected to participate in the Challenge \u2013 a charity walk, run and ride to benefit Best Buddies International \u2013 on September 12.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my 12th and final year as the Chair of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, I am so incredibly proud of what we\u2019ve accomplished and excited to continue the spirit of inclusion and friendship that makes Best Buddies so incredible,\u201d said Maria Shriver. \u201cI took the role of chairperson as First Lady and six years ago, we started our own team of individual people joined together in wanting to make an impact \u2026 which we have certainly achieved. Together, we have raised $12 million for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with over $2 million raised solely by Team Maria \u2014 aka \u201cthe people\u2019s team.\u201d It has been an extraordinary journey, and while I\u2019ll always be involved, I\u2019m excited to let someone else infuse their own energy, enthusiasm and new ideas into this phenomenal ride next year. But before then, let\u2019s make this year the best one yet! Let\u2019s ride like the wind and ride forward together!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Challenge kicks-off with an Inaugural Mountain Bike Experience on Friday, September 11. Participants will have the chance to ride a private course on the 180 acre network of off-road trails. The day caps off with the Official Opening Ceremonies of the Best Buddies Challenge. Participants, VIPs, sponsors and guests are invited to join at the first ever opening ceremonies, in which guests will enjoy food, cocktails and other refreshments. The reception will conclude with a live musical performance and a special program designed to celebrate key supporters and Best Buddies programs, led by Best Buddies International\u2019s Founder and Chairman, Anthony K. Shriver and his sister, honorary event co-chair, Maria Shriver.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, September 12, hundreds of cyclists will take to the starting line at Quail Lodge Golf Club for the 100-mile ride down the majestic Pacific Coast Highway from Carmel to San Simeon. The Challenge, which is open to people of all ages and abilities and is designed to showcase the Best Buddies mission in action, also features alternative 62, 30 and 15-mile cycling routes, as well as the Carl Lewis Challenge, a 5K run\/walk led by the Olympic gold-medalist himself.<\/p>\n

Several other celebrities, professional athletes and special guests are also expected to participate in the Challenge including: Actor Rob Lowe; Supermodel Cindy Crawford; WWE Total Divas Nikki Bella and Brie Bella; Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis; Pro Cyclists George Hincapie and Christian Vande Velde and Actress and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Lauren Potter.<\/p>\n

The Challenge will be capped off by a barbeque, awards ceremony and live concert by The Pointer Sisters.<\/p>\n

Challenge sponsors include: The Hearst Corporation; Hublot; Chevron; Pepsi-Cola Company; E. & J. Gallo Winery; 20th Century Fox; The Bay Club; Carnival Cruise Line; Pacific Gas & Electric; Natixis Global Asset Management; Southern Wine & Spirits; Testa Catering, Official Caterer of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle; FIJI Water, Official Water of Best Buddies; Pilot Freight Services; Cannondale, Official Bike Sponsor; Goorin Bros; Niche Media, Premiere Magazine Sponsor of Best Buddies; Bicycling Magazine; San Francisco Chronicle; Getty Images, Official Photography Sponsor of Best Buddies; and Silicon Valley Bank.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Best Buddies is receiving the support of the Honorary Ambassador Committee, whose members are helping to promote not only the event, but also inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Committee members include: California Speaker of the Assembly Toni G. Atkins; California State Senator Anthony Cannella; Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti; California Assemblymember Christina Garcia; Mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson; Mayor of San Francisco Edwin Lee; California State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon; and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.<\/p>\n

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:<\/p>\n

Best Buddies\u00ae 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 1,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies\u2019 eight formal programs \u2014 Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies\u00ae , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters \u2014 engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 900,000 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<\/a> or twitter.com\/bestbuddies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Contact Information:
\nTo participate in the Challenge:<\/p>\n

Michael Collins
\n800-718-3536
\nMichaelCollins@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n

To become a Challenge sponsor<\/p>\n

Kelly Schultz
\n800-718-3536
\nKellySchultz@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n

For media inquiries (including requests for credentials):<\/p>\n

Nicole Maddox
\n305-374-2233 ext. 343
\nNicoleMaddox@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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