Marklund to mark 12 years of Run, Walk & Roll 5K

The 12th annual Run, Walk & Roll-Geneva 5K/1-mile event will be held Sunday, Oct. 20, bringing together hundreds of kids and adults who want to support Marklund.

With the start and finish line located adjacent to the Marklund Hyde Center campus at 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, the event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and wind through the streets of the South Mill Creek neighborhood.

Registration is currently being taken at www.marklund.org/5K.

“This event is such a fun way to come together as a community to raise awareness and support for Marklund’s programs and services,” said Lauren Spitler, community events manager and race director. “If you are experienced in running 5Ks, we’d love to have you join us and try for a new PR. If you are not a runner, we encourage you to gather a group of friends and register to walk the 1-mile course that morning!”

The Marklund Run, Walk & Roll events are inclusive to individuals with disabilities who participate with in adaptive wheelchairs assisted by friends or family.

Traditionally, many Marklund residents also join in on the walk as well aided by family, friends or staff members who push their wheelchairs on the 1-mile course.

“When we founded the event in 2013, we felt strongly about making it accessible to people in wheelchairs or who use other adaptive devices, since our mission at Marklund is to make everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities,” said Heather Graves, chief development officer. “We believe that is what makes our event stand out from the rest.”

Since its inception, the Run, Walk & Roll Series has raised $1,179,680 in net proceeds to support the children and adults with developmental disabilities being cared for at Marklund. This year’s presenting sponsor is The Fitch Foundation.

The deadline is Sept. 14 for the sweatshirt. The cost of the 5K is $45 or $50 with a sweatshirt, or $35 or $40 for the 1-mile run. It’s an additional $5 after that date.

For information about registration or fundraising, visit www.marklund.org/5k.