The Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program is a non-profit (501c3) mainstream and inclusion based running, walking and wheelchair racing team. Rolling Thunder was established in November 1998. We are a non - profit organization set up for mainstream athletes who are developmentally disabled or have other special needs. We are a running and walking club set up specifically for these athletes. We stress important values; such as Courage, Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Persistence, and Loyalty. These are all qualities that are needed to be successful in life. Our goals are simple; Inclusion, Independence, and Choice. Through running, we hope to build up the athletes confidence and self - esteem. This will enable them to become more independent in their everyday lives and improve the quality of their lives. We achieve this through participation in mainstream running and walking events.