Lawrence-area businesses did their part Saturday to help athletes compete in Special Olympics.

Nearly 300 employees with seven companies didn’t let a steady rain bother them as they competed in this year’s Corporate Cup Challenge, a benefit fund-raiser for Special Olympics Kansas. The companies competed at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive.

The businesses raised about $8,000, said Chris Hahn, president and CEO of Special Olympics Kansas.

“That’s very good,” Hahn said. “I think the Lawrence community and corporations have always shown support. They compete, but they like each other.”

Rain caused most of the athletic events to be moved inside the high school gym. Some events, such as tennis, softball and golf, had to be canceled.

But one event — the obstacle course — was held in the parking lot despite the rain.

“It was pretty weird, but everybody had to deal with the weather conditions and got wet,” said Will Katz, an employee with E and E Display Group, 910 E. 29th St., who participated in the obstacle course.

Jackie D’Amore, who works at Allen Press, 810 E. 10th St., expected to have to deal with sore muscles today. She competed in several events, the finale being three swimming races in a row.

“I’m already tired,” she said, as she waited for the first swimming event to begin.

The money raised by the Corporate Cup Challenge would be enough to pay for about 40 percent of the costs involved with conducting the Nov. 7-8 Special Olympics Fall Challenge in Manhattan, Hahn said.

Special Olympics offers athletic competition to people with developmental disabilities.