Record-setting athlete with ALS Andrea Lytle Peet will be honored as a special guest during Champaign-Urbana’s signature running event
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After premiering at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival earlier this year, ‘Go On, Be Brave’ will be shown twice during Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. The documentary tells the story of Andrea Lytle Peet’s journey to becoming the first person with ALS to finish 50 marathons in 50 states and will be the first public screening of the film at a running event.
- a screening of the full-length film (110 minutes) on Thursday, Apr. 27 at 5 p.m
- a 20-minute excerpt from the film and followed by a Q&A with Peet on Friday, Apr. 28 at 3 p.m.
Both screenings will take place in the ARC Auditorium on the lower level of the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center. Peet will be a special guest of the event, meeting with participants and community members during the expo and participating in the half marathon. A limited number of free tickets are now available and those interested in attending can sign up here.
Peet completed her final state at the Prince of Wales Island Marathon in Alaska on May 28, 2022. Peet’s journey began in 2015 at the City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, N.C., though most of her races were completed between 2019 and 2022. Along the way, Peet raised over $1 million for the Team Drea Foundation, an organization she co-founded that supports ALS research efforts. Due to her diagnosis and its impact on her mobility, Peet completed her marathons utilizing a recumbent trike. She rode and finished alongside other runners in all of the events, holding pace with middle-of-the-pack marathoners. She will be riding her trike during the Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon.
The documentary is filmmakers Miriam McSpadden and Brian Beckman’s full-length feature. McSpadden and Beckman collected footage of Peet for nearly all of her events both in person and via GoPro cameras on Andrea’s trike. Go On, Be Brave premiered on Feb. 15 at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The screening at Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is the first to take place at a running event and will be the first opportunity for audiences to experience the film after its festival debut.
“As I crossed the finish line of my 50th marathon in my 50th state, I knew that it was only the beginning! I’m thrilled to be back on the race course during the half marathon at Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, and for the chance to share my message of appreciating what our bodies can do,” said Peet. “The opportunity to screen the film with audiences who can connect deeply with the story means so much to me and the filmmakers, and I thank Jan for her continued dedication to ensuring people of all abilities can experience the power of running!”
“The 26.2-mile distance has captivated people’s curiosity since its creation, but Andrea’s unique race against time and mission-driven miles bring a new element to an already inspiring act of completing a marathon,” said Jan Seeley, race director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. “From the moment I learned about Andrea and her accomplishments, I knew we had to share her story with our community during race weekend. I look forward to seeing our participants and local residents at the screenings – you won’t want to miss this moving and motivating film!”
Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend has championed the inclusivity of participants with disabilities and continues to expand initiatives that promote a diverse field of athletes. In 2022, the race launched the Walk, Run, & Roll with Team Noah program, which provides 80 individuals with disabilities plus one caregiver/family member with a complimentary entry into the 5K. This year, the event has committed to Chris Nikic’s Runner 321 initiative to welcome neurodivergent athletes to the field. Nikic is the first person with Down syndrome to finish an IRONMAN triathlon.
To learn more about the film, sign up for screening updates and learn more about hosting one, visit www.goonbebravefilm.com. Interact with and discover more about the film on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information about Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, visit www.IllinoisMarathon.com and follow the event on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
To learn more about the Team Drea Foundation, visit their website. Follow Peet’s journey on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About The Team Drea Foundation
The Team Drea Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that supports bold, innovative research to find a cure or effective treatment for ALS. We see raising awareness about this devastating disease as an opportunity to inspire people to live bravely, love joyfully, and appreciate the gift of life. Founded in October 2016 by Andrea Lytle Peet and her husband David Peet, the foundation primarily supports two organizations that are passionately dedicated to research: ALS Therapy Development Institute and Duke University. For more information or to donate, visit www.teamdrea.org.
About Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend
The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is an annual running event that takes participants through the scenic streets of Champaign-Urbana, Ill. It is one of the 100 largest races in the United States, drawing close to 15,000 runners in past years. Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is led by award-winning Race Director Jan Seeley. The event made a triumphant post-pandemic return and remains committed to fostering a happy, healthy community in central Illinois. The 2023 edition will take place on Apr. 27-29, and features a 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, 4-person relay, youth run, and multi-event challenges. To learn more about the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, visit www.IllinoisMarathon.com.
