The Twelfth Annual Issaquah Rotary Challenge Day Race will be held this Saturday.

This terrific event allows participants with disabilities to experience the fun of a soapbox derby race down 2nd Avenue in front of the Community Center in historic Downtown Issaquah.

For the race, two youngsters climb into the seat of a sleek soapbox derby car.

With the slam of the starting gate, the car’s wheels begin to turn.

As gravity kicks in, the two seater dashes along 2nd Avenue.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with racing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other activities include adaptive cycling for children and adults with disabilities and lunch hosted by the Rotary Club of Issaquah for event participants and volunteers.

This event would not be possible without the vision of longtime Issaquah resident and retired Puget Sound Energy executive Leo Finnegan.

Finnegan is the father of an adult son with a disability and brought the idea of continuing this type of race, which Puget Power formerly offered.

Now, thanks to Finnegan’s efforts and various community volunteers, the Challenge Day Race is an annual community event. The event is made possible thanks to the efforts of many volunteers from the Rotary Club of Issaquah and the co-sponsorships of Life Enrichment Options, Tate & Oellrich Inc. P.S. CPAs, I-90 Motorsports & Michaels Chevrolet of Issaquah, along with other local sponsors.

Life Enrichment Options, or LEO, seeks to promote a good quality of life within the Issaquah community for citizens who have developmental disabilities, especially as it pertains to housing, employment and recreation.

For information about this event or becoming a sponsor, please contact Life Enrichment Options at 425-392-3224, or Stan Conrad – Issaquah Rotary Club at 425-864-6171.