The second annual Trojan Challenge to raise money for college scholarships on behalf of the Gary Weller Foundation is scheduled for Oct. 12 at the Sturtz Family Farm in Linden.
Last year’s event was successful enough to allow the foundation to award two $1,500 scholarships to students from Pine Forest High School.
The scholarships go to Pine Forest students who have overcome some kind of challenge in their lives and have gone on to excel not only in their chosen sport but in the community at large. Nominations are made by coaches at Pine Forest High School and a special committee picks the winners.
Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, a Pine Forest alumnus, said the challenge draws its inspiration from former Pine Forest football coach Gary Weller, whom the foundation is named for.
Weller was the victim of a horrific accident years ago, when the driver of a stolen vehicle ran him over multiple times while Weller was out running. Weller battled back through numerous surgeries and remains active both in local 
business and athletic circles.
Keefe said the challenge is a tribute to Weller’s resilience. “When Gary had his incident, he had to overcome a lot of obstacles,’’ he said. “We want to challenge others to overcome obstacles that they may have and be successful.’’
Keefe said this year’s challenge will feature a tier-one obstacle course with 20 to 22 different obstacles.
There will also be a Trojan in Training challenge, a scaled-down course for younger participants and older ones who don’t feel up to the full-scale obstacle course.
The event will begin at
9 a.m. and will end around noon.
Keefe said the field would be limited to 200 participants. The cost to compete in the Trojan Challenge is $65 per entrant. The fee for the Trojan in Training course is $40. General admission to watch the event is $5.
The deadline for entries will be a week before the event is held.
Children are welcome to take in the challenge, but those age six or younger need to be accompanied by an adult supervisor.
In addition to the obstacle course, the event will feature food, drinks and music with the assistance of the Pine Forest High School Booster Club.
For further information on the challenge or to sign up for this year’s event, visit
www.trojanchallenge.org.