RUN FOR AUTISM

The RUN FOR AUTISM is the Organization for Autism Research’s signature fundraising effort. OAR’s successful RUN program partners with races throughout the country, including The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.OAR is a national, nonprofit organization formed and led by relatives of children and adults with autism and Asperger Syndrome. OAR is dedicated to promoting research that can be applied to help families, educators, caregivers, and individuals with autism find much-needed answers to their immediate and urgent questions.

OAR’s mission is to apply research to the challenges of autism.

The mission of “applying” research to answer questions of daily concern for those living with autism drives each of the goals and objectives that define OAR’s programs and determine its budget.

OAR’s defines applied research as research that directly impacts the day-to-day quality of life of learners with autism. It entails the systematic investigation of variables associated with positive outcomes in such areas as education, communication, self care, social skills, employment, behavior, and adult and community living. In this context, it extends to issues related to family support, the efficacy of service delivery systems, and demographic analyses of the autism community.

In simplest terms, applied autism research is “practical research that examines issues and challenges that children and adults with autism and their families face everyday.”

OAR introduced the RUN FOR AUTISM in 2003 after receiving an invitation to become a Charity Partner with the Marine Corps Marathon. 2005 was OAR’s first year in an official capacity with The La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon, and OAR’s total number of runners and funds raised for autism research continue to grow each year until 2009 when it dipped slightly. Since its inception in 2003, the RUN FOR AUTISM has raised more than $2 million.

New York City Half Marathon-March 20
Blue Ridge Marathon & Half Marathon-April 16
Rite Aid Cleveland 5K Presented by OAR-May 14
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K-May 15
Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon & Marathon Relay-May 15
Brooklyn Half Marathon-TBD
Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago® Half Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society®-August 21
Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach™ Half Marathon Presented by SunTrust-September 4
ING Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia™ Half Marathon-September 18
Bank of America Chicago Marathon-October 9
Marine Corps Marathon & 10K-October 30
Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio® Marathon & 1/2 Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure®-November 13

We're specifically looking for volunteers (individuals or groups) who would be available to volunteer at the The RiteAid Cleveland Marathon Expo on May 13 and 14 and at the RiteAid Cleveland 5K on May 14.