06/14/2026
It’s safe to say the 2026 Dash for Down Syndrome was THE BEST DAY EVER, as Kauffman Park was filled to the brim with our amazing GiGi’s community. Whether you’ve been alongside us for 10 years or 1 day, we all were a part of something much bigger than any of us alone. Today, we dashed, danced, hugged, rolled, cheered, and loved our incredible friends who rock that extra chromosome!
We extend the biggest “thank you” to all those involved! Our incredible team of volunteers, without you this day wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you Run the Land for navigating our 3.21-mile run and for the Lakewood Police Department for keeping everyone safe along the route. Thank you to our sponsors who continue to believe in our mission: Nordson Adhesive Systems , Cleveland Clinic , Cleveland Clinic Children’s , Cuyahoga DD , Akron Children's , Lakewood Public Library , Empower Sports , Voodoo Tuna , Lorain County Data LLC , First Federal Lakewood , Trikeable Treats ,Kesselman Wealth Management, First National Bank, Connecting for Kids, Cleveland , and Carlisle Creamery . A big thank you to Tony Anzalone for creating our colorful and bold participant trophies! We also want to thank Emilie’s Coffee House & Wine Bar for providing delicious beverages, CCBDD for bringing their Universal Changing Station and Mobile Sensory Station, and Glitter Girlz Nation for providing free glitter tattoos, too! Thank you to the amazing Lakewood Cheerleading for encouraging everyone to achieve their ‘Best of All’, Johnny for kicking off our event by singing The National Anthem, and our Event Committee for putting countless hours into the planning and ex*****on of our Dash for Down Syndrome!
Last but not least, we extend our hearts in gratitude as we thank EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. who either attended, donated, or cheered us on from afar. Together, we raised $153,000+ to continue providing therapeutic and educational programs all at NO COST to our families. More importantly though, this morning allowed us to come together and show our community how capable, brilliant, athletic, kind, funny, and amazing our friends with Down syndrome are.
Results from the 5k will be posted on our event page and in our wrap up email on Tuesday!