AutismBC partners with Vancouver Half-Marathon for Let’s Run for Autism marathons

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AutismBC sets foot once again to help out those in the autistic community. 

From June 1 to 30, the non-profit organization joins the Vancouver Half-Marathon, 5K race, and other charity organizations as a charity partner for Let’s Run for Autism, a fundraiser marathon helping to raise money and support for those with autism. 

Those who register for the marathon with AutismBC as their chosen charity can help raise funds virtually by choosing to run either 1K, 5K, or 21K with 100 per cent of the donations going directly to AutismBC to help fund programs for autistic children, youth, and adults. The in-person event for Let’s Run for Autism will be held on June 25.

“Everybody who contributes to our organization with a donation, it’s important for them to know the impact their funds are having on the community,” says Cathy Nidoski, AutismBC’s development manager.

Nidoski says AutismBC got involved with the Vancouver Half-Marathon during the pandemic in 2020. She says the organization saw an opportunity to help connect those in the autistic community and do something for a good cause. 

“[It] can be difficult for autistic people [to] deal with sensory stuff that’s going on around them, so having a virtual event was really great because they could do it at their own pace,” Nidoski says. 

She says having the flexibility for people to choose where to run and who to run with has also been well received. 

AutismBC participated in the in-person marathon event last year, however Nidoski says the virtual options were more popular, especially with the increased activity the non-profit saw during the pandemic.

“Our information and resources program experienced a 30 per cent increase in calls during that time,” she says. “Our programs [and] the registration increased as well, so people were loving doing our programs online.”

AutismBC depends on events like Let’s Run for Autism to run their programs. 

“We are lucky enough to get community gaming grants, but that’s just a portion of the grants or the funds we need for the year in order to run our programs and services across the province.”

One of the programs benefiting from these funds is AutismBC Goes, a series of free, safe, supportive, and inclusive events that work to connect the autism community with minimal financial and social barriers. The program runs online and in-person, and going to a bowling alley for the afternoon is one of the activities they do. 

“The way it’s different is that we help train that staff and the bowling alley on how to be sensitive and inclusive of the needs of autistic people. That might be looking at the sensory needs, [like] not having flashing lights or having lower [music] levels. It’s not open to the general public during that time, so it’s a little more quiet and less crowded.”

Within the past two years, $41,601 was raised for AutismBC from over 65 participants.

Those who register for the virtual and in-person marathon will receive a kit, which includes a T-shirt, a medal, a racing bib, and other items for participating. Virtual participants will be mailed the kit and a designated spot will be set up to receive kits at the in-person marathon. 

“Right now, there’s a National Autism Strategy the Canadian government is working on launching, and it’s something our organization is really keeping their eye on … That is really looking into ways of supporting autistic people in society and looking at the ways that that needs to be done,” Nidoski says.

“As we follow along with this strategy, we’ll be looking at the provincial government, and how the province can align itself with that strategy to benefit autistic people in B.C.”

For more information about Let’s Run for Autism and to register for a marathon, head to the Vancouver Half-Marathon website.