Special Olympics holds bicycle race on Dover Published Sept. 16, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett 436th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Dover Air Force Base, will host a Special Olympics event as more than 35 athletes participate in a bicycle race along Perimeter Road near the Eagles Nest Picnic Area Sept. 19. The opening ceremony will be at 8:30 with racers competing in 500 meter, 1K, 5K, 10K, 15K and 20K races. "We're really looking forward to this event," said Mark Wise, Special Olympics director of sports training and volunteer management. "This is a great family event, which is all about having fun. The competitors train hard for these kinds of events, but even if they don't take first place, everyone has a good time." The racers will start at the Eagles Nest Picnic Area, travel down Perimeter Road to the South Gate and then loop back with the top three racers in each category receiving bronze, silver or gold medals. To help out with the event, more than 40 military members have volunteered to support the event. "I volunteered for this event to provide support for the athletes so they can show off their skills," said Senior Airman Rosalyn Reeder, 436th Airlift Wing assistant to the command chief. "It's nice to meet people from different walks of life and see how they inspire everyone around them by overcoming their disabilities." Spectators are asked to use the Air Mobility Command Museum gate to gain access to the event.