Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region’s newest team fundraising event is coming in for landing at the Lehigh Valley International Airport! The Lehigh Valley Plane Pull, presented by Sheetz, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 7.

The plane pull combines fundraising with a fun competition to see which team of 25 can pull a FedEx Airbus 300 airplane, which weighs 175,000 pounds, a distance of 12 feet the fastest.?The winning participants will be named the strongest team in the Lehigh Valley.

The funds raised at this event will help ensure athletes in the Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region have access to year-round sports, health and leadership programming free of charge.

During the event, teams will compete to pull the plane the fastest in their division. The open division includes companies, clubs, friends and families. The public safety division is for law enforcement, first responders and military personnel. The fitness division includes gyms, yoga, running clubs or other fitness groups. The university division is for colleges, universities, students and staff. The high school division will include high school students, clubs and staff.

Registration details and event guidelines can be found at lvplanepull.org.

“Participants are doing more than pulling a plane and helping athletes,” Executive Director Julie Benjamin said. “Their commitment to inclusion makes a lasting impact in our community through health programs, fitness groups, leadership opportunities, adaptive competitions and more.”

During the event, teams and attendees can participate in raffles led by Special Olympics Pennsylvania coaches and enjoy food trucks from local eateries.

The Lehigh Valley Plane Pull is sponsored by FedEx, Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority, Amazon, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Wegmans, St. Luke’s and Penske.

“Sheetz is proud to be partnering with Special Olympics Pennsylvania in this first-of-its-kind event for the Lehigh Valley,” Nick Ruffner, Sheetz public relations manager, said. “Our employees in this area are so passionate about this event. This is a creative, fun way to bring attention to all of the great work done year-round by Special Olympics Pennsylvania.”