5k Run/Walk for Autism

Over the past fifteen years, the Autism Society Central Virginia 5K Run/Walk has grown from a small venture to an annual awareness event that attracted over 1500 participants in 2016. Held at the Innsbrook Pavilion, this family-friendly race includes entertainment, food, exhibitors and a Kid’s Fun Zone. The 5K Run/Walk is also one of the Autism Society Central Virginia’s primary sources of income, raising over $100,000 in 2016.

The 15th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Autism event begins at 8am on Saturday, May 27th, with a welcome, live music, and the opening of the vendor area and kid’s zone. The 5K Run/Walk starts promptly at 9am, with an award ceremony following at approximately 10:30am.

The prevalence rate of autism continues to rise, and currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2016) estimates that an average of 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys) in the United States has autism. Data gathered by the Virginia Department of Education (Dec. 1, 2016 Child Count) indicates that there are over 19,500 children, aged 3-22, in Virginia’s public schools who have an educational diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This number does not reflect the additional number of individuals who have yet to be diagnosed, are in private or home schools, or who have aged out of the school system (adults.) There is no known cause or cure for autism at this time.

All funds raised from this event will provide much needed support for individuals with autism and their families in Central Virginia. The funds raised here, stay here!