The Autism 5K, a Minneapolis 5K Run/Walk on May 21st, 2011

5K Teams and Groups

it5k — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:03:35 +0000

We encourage participants to walk or run with a team for fun or competition, but it isn’t required by any means. If you’d like to participate with friends, family and/or co-workers, then you should strongly consider creating a team. Details below along with top 2011 Teams!

Why walk or run as a team?

1) Teams are a great way to show your support for an individual or cause. Groups will sometimes wear signature items, costumes or t-shirts centered around their team.

2) Participating as a team can offer recognition for your company or cause.

3) If you’re competitive runners, then your team’s top times will be averaged and available online after the race. Compete against other teams or try for a team goal average.

How do I signup for a team?

There’s a “team name” option at registration… just ask your teammates to use the same team name when registering.

If you already registered and didn’t fill out a team name or would like to change your team name, email the change to kirsten@autism5k.org and she can manually change it before race day.

Top Autism 5K Groups for 2011:

Will’s Wheels
(73 people! They’re arriving in a chartered bus!)

Lucas’s Meatballs
(Love the name!)

Brady’s Bunch
(A top team and top fundraiser!)

Sunny Days
(A top team and sponsor!)

These teams had ten or more team members register as well:

Team Lionsgate
Paidea Academy
Danny’s Gamers
Holland Center
Giddy Up
Corbin’s Crew
Yo Gabba
Team Josh
Capella Happy Feat
Access America Transportation
Rhino Technologies
Team Elijah
Team Jake Kraus
Team Thrivent Stonebridge
Capella Happy Feat
Puzzled Walkers

Here are additional teams registered for the Autism 5K:

A.U.T.I.S.M.
AC to the Max
APA Count
AYUDH of Minnesota
Believe Music Productions
The Bolters
Brain Balance
Braxton
Charlie’s Unicorns
Chrestomathy
Como House
Dan&Mom
Daniel’s Determination
FARAH
Goals for GAP
Henry
Hillside Harmony
Jogging for Jake
Kevin’s Krusaders
Living Everyday on Purpose
Logans Lackeys
Macjac
Mixed Bag of Nuts
Noah Team
Orluck~Organic
Safety Call
Sammy’s Warriors
Sawyer
Strides for Autism
Sidney Sunshine
Team 265
Team Alijah
Team Anneka
Team Bee Free
Team Blake
Team Camer
Team Cause
Team Cheeseburger
Team Freddy
Team Jasiah
Team Juju
Team Kaleb
Team Lazarus
Team Marcos
Team NICK
Team Phoenix
Team Roy
Team Sawyer
Team SKEESIX
Team Steilen
Team Xiin Finiin
Team Z
Team Zoey
The Henry and Ethan Team
Team Vibrant
Three Stooges
Turan’s Team
Towers Watson
Twin Cities Professional Nannies
You Don’t Know Jack
Zander

Here are examples of teams that registered and ran together in past years:

Team Adam
Sam’s Sidekicks
Hayden/Coleman
Thrivent
Regions
St. Kate’s Occupational Therapy
Team Triston
Sleeplessmom’s hope
That one team
McCanna
Salvador
St. Croix
Data Domainers
Holland Center
Team EMC
SunnyDays
VISI
Vibrant
Be Good
Believe
Orluck Organic
All Aboard for the Autism Race
Supercool
Blackbox
Eatchel
Wanna Walk

Donations and Fundraising

it5k — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:27:52 +0000

Thank you for your interest in supporting families affected by Autism. Participants primarily support the cause by participating in the 5K (registration details here), but there is also the possibility to donate or help us fundraise.

Here are ways to make a donation to C.A.D.E. from direct donations to registration.

1) Make a donation directly to the Autism 5K charities on our event donation site:
- Great option for those who would like to be at the event but can’t make it, yet still want to contribute.

www.active.com/donate/autism5k2011
(Choose an amount in the “Make a Contribution” box)

2) Become a fundraiser and help us raise donations.

http://www.active.com/donate/autism5k2011
(Click the “Become a Fundraiser” Link at the very top of the page)
- fundraisers who raise $100 or more will be eligible for prizes

3) Volunteer or Come to Cheer
If you can’t participate or contribute at this time, your presence at the event will be great for supporting the runners and walkers while helping us build awareness of autism’s reach.

Contact briana@autism5k.org for more information on volunteering.

4) Register for the event and consider an add-on donation.
When you register, there is also an option to make an additional donation. Your registration alone also helps as well, as all net proceeds go directly to fund therapy, treatment and research for local kids and families.

How to Register

For information on sponsoring the Autism 5K, please visit our sponsor page.
(Details at the bottom of the page.)

If you have any questions about how you can get involved with fund-raising and donations, please email info@autism5k.org.

Thank you so much!

Event Details

it5k — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:06:02 +0000

Whether you’re a serious runner, a casual jogger or a walker, you’ll enjoy the Autism 5K. Last year we had nearly 2000 participants, evenly split between walkers and runners. Many groups participate in support of a particular family member, a cause, org or workplace. Others participate to compete in a certified 5K or just to enjoy a nice run or walk on a late Spring day.

T-Shirts:

The 2011 T-Shirts will feature custom artwork by the talented local artist Michael Birawer! Michael has graciously offered to allow us to use this wonderful piece for our 2011 race artwork. T-Shirts are available in Adult and Kid sizes this year.

Registration Details:

Click Here for all Registration Details.

Packet Pickup (advance and on race day):

Advance Packet Pickup at:
Marathon Sports, 2312 West 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410 on
Friday May 20th from 10am-6pm.

Race Day Packet Pickup at:
Thomas Beach, Lake Calhoun – between 7:30 and 8:30AM on race day.

When:
Saturday, May 21st, 2011
Race starts at 9am sharp, registration 7:30-8:30am on race day

Please arrive early, if possible, to avoid lines.

Where:
Lake Calhoun, near Thomas beach (SouthWest Corner of Lake Calhoun)
Vincent Ave S and Lake Calhoun Parkway
Minneapolis, MN

Google Map Link for directions:
http://tinyurl.com/autism5k-map

SW Corner of Lake Calhoun

Race Course:

The course follows the Lake Calhoun Parkway road around the lake (not the trail). It is a 5K (3.1 mile) run or walk and is a USA Track and Field certified 5K.

Start: Xerxes stop sign on Lake Calhoun Parkway (just West of the Thomas Beach parking lot).

Finish: West 36th Street (approximately 2 blocks North of the finish line) near the Bakken museum.

- Return Back to the tent for refreshments after your run.

Weather Conditions

The Autism 5K is a rain or shine event. We’re hoping the forecast is wrong, but we may have some rain drops Saturday morning, so please dress appropriately.

In the event that lighting is present at race time, the race will be delayed 30 minutes for a 9:30am start and participants should stay in their cars or under shelter. If lightning were to persist at 9:30am, the 5K would be called off. The forecast is currently projecting that the storms will hold off until afternoon, so we hope that holds true and the morning weather is cooperative!

Kids / Strollers / Dogs / iPods??

Kids are welcome and not required to register - but can if they’d like a race shirt and/or have their times scored.

Strollers and Dogs are fine for walkers, but please line up towards the back rather than towards the front with the runners.

We are not restricting the use of iPods, MP3 players or headphones.

Who is the race for?

For Serious Runners:
This is a certified course around Lake Calhoun, a great 5K course. Plaques will be awarded to winners in each age category (Male and Female) w/prizes for overall winners.

For Not-so-Serious Runners:
Enjoy a run around beautiful Lake Calhoun on a Spring morning.

For Walkers & Families:
The Autism 5K draws scores of families and individuals who walk for the cause. Approximately 1000 walkers participated in 2010!

The Cause:

Proceeds to benefit Children with Autism Deserve Education, a nonprofit that support children and families affected by autism as well as research.
Find out more.

Age Categories for Top Finishers:
(Both Male and Female Runners receive awards)

Kids:
12 and under
13-15
16-18

Adults:
19-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+

Fees:

Pre-Registration (online or via mail-in form):
$20 for 5K only
$30 for 5K and t-shirt
$150 for 5K, t-shirt and sterling silver autism pendant

Race Day Registration
$25 for 5K only
$35 for 5K and t-shirt

Sterling Silver Autism Pendant:
We have a top tier registration level this year for those who would be interested in obtaining a sterling silver autism pendant as part of their registration. The pendant was designed by Susan Trask, a mother of a child with autism, and is forged in the shape of a jigsaw puzzle piece. It contains 92.5% of silver by weight and is approximately 3cm x 4cm in size. Chain not included. (Image 1) (Image 2)

Parking:

There are places to park around Lake Calhoun, but the parkway will be closed off just before the start time. The event is run on the Lake Calhoun Parkway road that circles the lake (not the paths). If you plan to run, you might consider parking away from the finish line though since you will finish well before the walkers and might not get out right away otherwise.

There is ample free street parking in the neighborhood surrounding the SW corner of Lake Calhoun, near our start line.

Refund Policy:
Refunds may be issued up to 72 hours prior to race day, if your plans change. Please consider that your registration fee is also a donation to a nonprofit organization.

The Autism 5K will be held, rain or shine.

Registration Options:

Questions?

2010 Event Details, Photos and Race Results:

Thank you to the nearly 2000 participants who came out for the 2010 Autism 5K! Thanks as well to our sponsors, fundraisers, donors and the dozens of volunteers who made this event happen. It was a wonderful day for a 5K and to support Autism!

2010 Race Results:
www.autism5k.org/2010-results.htm

2010 Photos:

2010 Artwork

Mary GrandPre’, acclaimed artist and illustrator of all seven Harry Potter novels produced the artwork for the 2009 and 2010 Autism 5K.

Poster prints are still available.

More information

Purchase an Art Print or Poster of the 2009/2010 artwork

Support Families affected by Autism

it5k — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:02:58 +0000

2011 Autism 5K race proceeds will benefit local families affected by autism as well as research and is to be distributed through the nonprofit which runs this event, Children with Autism Deserve Education (C.A.D.E.) via grants.

C.A.D.E. (Children with Autism Deserve Education)

The basis of C.A.D.E. is to help fund education for autism for children that don’t have the funding to obtain it. The direct teaching method known as ABA/VB has been found to be the most effective treatment for autism and is the methodology that we support. Unfortunately, many children with autism don’t have the opportunity to benefit from this effective therapy & public schools don’t have the funding to provide it. C.A.D.E would like to be able to help fund those children that don’t have the financial means for this. Children with autism deserve to obtain the most effective means of education and we will help them get it.

C.A.D.E. will also support medical interventions for children. There are many medical interventions that are being found helpful to the growing population of autism. We will help provide funding for interventions that are supported and managed by medical doctors in the Twin Cities. Finally, a small portion of the proceeds will be set aside for research grants in our hopes that the world will continue to explore the causes of and interventions for this epidemic.

C.A.D.E. is 100% a volunteer organization, from the board to the other volunteers and all net event proceeds it ultimately receives will go directly to fund grants for children in the Twin Cities.

Grants:
If you would like more information on applying for our need-based medical and therapy grants, please email grants@autism5k.org and we will follow up with additional information on how can apply.

The Autism 5K and C.A.D.E.
The Autism 5K is the top annual event for C.A.D.E.. If you would like to support the event, we greatly appreciate it and here are some relevant links:

Thank you so much for your interest in and support of C.A.D.E. and for supporting families and children affected by autism.

———————————————————————————————-
Children with Autism Deserve Education is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the operating entity of the Autism 5K and will distribute race registration and sponsorship net proceeds via grants. Direct donations above and beyond registration or sponsorship fees can be made directly and independently to our nonprofit as well.

Original Artwork by Michael Birawer

it5k — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:20:21 +0000

Immensely talented local artist Michael Birawer has created this custom artwork for the 2011 Autism 5K. You have likely seen his oil & acrylic pieces and sculpted wood pop outs, many featuring local Twin Cities landmarks and urban settings. Mr. Birawer created the 2010 commemorative Target Field artwork, the Minnesota State Fair poster and many other incredible pieces.

This piece was created specifically for our 2011 event and it’s use graciously donated to our event by Mr. Birawer. We are eternally grateful for this incredible contribution! This piece commemorates our first year’s event, which was held at Lake Harriet. The 2011 event will be held at Lake Calhoun.

We’re huge fans of Mr. Birawer’s works and we highly recommend you check out his website: http://www.michaelbirawer.com

2011 Sponsors

it5k — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:22:22 +0000

The 2011 Autism 5K is sponsored by local and national businesses, autism related organizations and several silent partners.

We would like to thank the following sponsors:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Local Service Sponsors:

Without our sponsors, we couldn’t make this event happen. If given the opportunity, please extend your gratitude.

Interested in Sponsoring?

We had a tremendous turnout (1850 registrations!) in 2010, only our 2nd year and we have big expectations for 2011. The Autism 5K event gives our sponsors great exposure to the local community as well as an opportunity to support children with autism.

For information on how you can sponsor the Autism 5K, please contact mike@autism5k.org

Thank you.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter

it5k — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:19:29 +0000

A) Join us on Facebook!

Autism 5K Fan Page: www.facebook.com/autism5k

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192757407413832

Please RSVP that you will be attending on our event page.
Spread the word by inviting others. Click on the “Share” button then the “Send a Message” tab and choose which friends you would like to send it to by typing in their names.
Post the Event to your Wall. Click on the “Share” button then “post to profile” with comments or without.

B) Follow us on Twitter:

Find us @autism5k
Follow us and we’ll follow you back. Please send a tweet out about the event to your followers!

.
.

C) Email a Friend or Share with your network!

Go to the home page and click on the “tell a friend” button at the bottom of the page, then you’ll be able to email the link to a friend or post it to your Facebook page or your other networks. Or just drop a link to www.autism5k.org to share.

You could also click on the “tell a friend” button on this page, but then just realize you’ll be sharing this specific page as opposed to the main page of The Autism 5K.

Old-Fashioned Social Networking Method:

Print off and share a copy of our online registration by giving it to friends or posting it at your local coffee shop or place of business.

Download the registration flyer PDF here:
http://www.autism5k.org/reg-flyer.pdf

And print it out!

2010 Sponsors

it5k — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:56:27 +0000

The Autism 5K is sponsored by local businesses and autism related organizations as well as silent partners.

We would like to thank the following sponsors:
-

Additional Sponsors and Supporters:
- NorthStar Fire Protection
- Welsh Construction / NAI Welsh
- Integrity Global Solutions
- Minnesota Hyperbaric
- Kevin Wand, D.O.
- Dr. Sandra Spore, RMDABCI
- TACA
- Twin Six
- Tailor Made Nutrition
- Lovaas Institute Midwest
- Kaleidoscope Place
- Custom -Rx Compounding Pharmacy
- Master Supplements
- Autism Advocacy
- Fidelity Bank
- Bella Salon/Spa
- Jewels of Austria
- Bittersweet Gluten Free Bakery
- SafetyCall International
- VanRose Realty Team

Without our sponsors, we couldn’t make this event happen. If given the opportunity, please pass on your thanks.

Interested in Sponsoring?

We had a tremendous turnout (750 registrations!) for the inaugural event in 2009 and expect an even larger turnout in 2010, giving our sponsors great exposure to the local community as well as an opportunity to support children with autism.

For information on how you can sponsor the Autism 5K, please contact mike@autism5k.org

Thank you.

2009 IT5K for Autism

it5k — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:24:09 +0000

In 2009, we held the inaugural Autism 5K under the name, The IT5K for Autism. The event was held at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, MN to benefit TACA (Talk About Curing Autism).

2009 IT5K for Autism Photos (Flickr)

2009 IT5K Race Results
2009 IT5K Race Winners
2009 IT5K Trophies

TACA, our 2009 charity.
IT5K Family Stories from 2009

2009 IT5K Sponsors

2009 IT5K for Autism on Facebook

5K Race Trophies by age class

it5k — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:48:37 +0000

2009 Race Trophy Sample:

Example of Race Trophy - Women's 40-49 Class