PEORIA (25News Now) – Runners in the Peoria area have taken on a rigorous physical challenge to support veterans. They are running four miles every four hours for 48 hours this weekend.

The fitness challenge started at 6:00 pm on Friday, but it continues throughout the rest of the weekend. Every four hours, the participants run four miles on an outdoor trail behind the House Barbell Club in Peoria. After each run, group members usually have about three hours to rest and recover at the gym.

All proceeds from the challenge will go to The Resilience Project, a charity started by two local veterans. That group’s goals are to help veterans stay active and ease their transition back into civilian life. The Resilience Project pays for gym memberships for disabled veterans and helps retired soldiers get connected with personal trainers. There are also social events to help former military find community, like many knew during their service.

Participant Ben Deig said what motivates him is “thinking about the people who have served our country and maybe have seen or experienced other hardships that I can’t even imagine, so me running 48 miles this weekend is a small token for that.”

Their goal is to raise $5,000 before the weekend is over. Athletes doing the challenge encourage members of the public to run four-mile legs with them on the trail. They run at every 10:00, 2:00, and 6:00 during the challenge. The final run begins at 2:00 pm on Sunday, at the House Barbell Club in Peoria. Organizers hope to have as many people as they can for that final race.

All the funds raised through the fitness event will stay local, benefitting veterans in the Peoria area.

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