Community invited to cheer on athletes at this inspirational milestone event
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — HSHS St. Anthony’s Physical Rehabilitation and Wellness is marking a milestone as it hosts the fifth annual “Meet Me at the Finish Line” Youth Adaptive Try-Athlon, promoting fitness and self-confidence for athletes 18 and under who face challenges every day, whether physical, social or emotional.
The “Meet Me at the Finish Line” Youth Adaptive Try-Athlon is Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Workman Sports Complex, 1301 N. Maple St., Effingham, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This Youth Adaptive Try-Athlon is open to all athletes 18 and under with mobility deficits or children who are not afforded the opportunity to participate in community events due to physical, social or emotional barriers. Athletes will participate in swimming, biking and running events. Each participant will have a buddy by their side for every splash, pedal and step of the way. There are no first-, second- or third-place winners at this event. Everyone is a winner simply by finishing the race.
There will be pregame fun and prizes. Light refreshments and snacks will be available courtesy of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. Family, friends and community members are invited to cheer on the participants.
“If you want to fill your cup with joy, join us in cheering on our athletes as they overcome their everyday challenges in this fun and adaptive event,” said Tammy Probst, Director of Rehab Services at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. “We will have noisemakers available, or bring your own, to cheer on our athletes as they participate in the three-event race and cross the finish line on their own. It is truly an inspiring time.”
“The look of joy on the kids’ faces as they cross the finish line and receive their medal is hard to beat,” said physical therapist Alex Kastl, DPT, PT, who coordinates the event each year. “Reaching five years shows just how much this event means to our athletes, their families and our entire community.”
For more information and to register an athlete, visit stanthonyshospital.org/try-athlon.
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Photo Caption: Alissa MacDonald hugs her son Tegan as he crosses the finish line at HSHS St. Anthony’s Physical Rehabilitation and Wellness Youth Adaptive Try-Athlon in 2025, as Tammy Probst, Director of Rehab Services, and others cheer for Tegan. The “Meet Me at the Finish Line” Youth Adaptive Try-Athlon promotes fitness and self-confidence for athletes 18 and under who have mobility and physical challenges. This year’s Try-Athlon will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Workman Sports Complex.
About HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, celebrating 150 years of serving the Effingham community, is part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a nonprofit Catholic health care ministry founded in 1875. Dedicated to our Mission to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through high-quality Franciscan health care, HSHS clinicians provide exceptional care centered on the whole person. Based in Springfield, Illinois, HSHS employs nearly 11,000 colleagues who provide care in 13 acute-care, children’s and critical-access hospitals and home health and hospice programs in Central and Southern Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin. HSHS is aligned with more than 1,000 primary and specialty physicians and advanced practitioners through its owned affiliates HSHS Medical Group and Prairie Cardiovascular and its partnership with Prevea Health. For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.