News

Southwest Virginia’s First-Ever Plane Pull Raises $85K to Support Our Athletes

Special Olympics Virginia made history by hosting the first-ever Southwest Virginia Plane Pull at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.

With 13 participating teams, the event raised an incredible $85,000 to support our athletes. Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters gathered to watch teams hit the ropes and pull a massive FedEx cargo aircraft, marking the start of what we hope will be a new regional tradition.

The heart of the event saw teams of 25 members each competing to pull an 82-ton plane a distance of 12 feet in the fastest time. It was a day filled with excitement, determination, and community spirit, with key results from the competition highlighting the tremendous efforts of our teams.

Key Results:

  • Heaviest Team: NoBounds
  • Lightest Team: Ortho• Like No Other
  • Top Fundraising: WVRJ Con Air - LETR
  • 3rd Place Fastest Pull: Team Badges of Honors
  • 2nd Place Fastest Pull: Boco Fit Rage & Area 8
  • 1st Place Fastest Pull: FBBC Plane Crazies

Thanks to the support of our community, sponsors, and dedicated participants, this inaugural event was a huge success, directly benefiting Special Olympics Virginia athletes. We can’t wait to continue Southwest Plane pull next year!