run for autism

2006
Inside
Top 2006
RUN FOR AUTISM
Fundraisers
MarathonS:
More than just
race day
Running For A
Reason: Paul
Kosmarciuk
liliana ayala
Katie Musolino
Bridget Hidalgo
Meg Langan
Kemp Kernstine
The Rundown
To p
5
2006 RUN FOR AUTISM Fundraisers
[1]
Aaron Lieberman
[ 2]
Robert Donohue/Eric Aronowitz $12,233
[ 3]
Claire Mooney
$9,371
[4]
Claudia Wolfson
$8,787
[ 5]
Conor’s Crew
$8,524
$12,562
runner profile
Paul Kosmarciuk
Emily Seagrave
The RUN FOR AUTISM program was a huge success in
2006. This was evident at The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and
Marine Corps Marathon and 10K, which served as primary venues
for over 300 runners in October. Along with runners competing in
various races across the country through the RUN FOR AUTISM America program, they raised over $360,000 for autism research.
The greatest measure of success is the distribution of funds
within OAR’s research and information programs. OAR’s Board of
Directors has approved the use of this money to fund the publication and distribution of its newest resource guide, Life Journey
through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood, and seven
new autism research studies totaling $290,000 in grants.
Photos by: John Dolby, Ximena Vengoechea, Barbara Vilpors
Paul Kosmarciuk, 18, is new
both to the world of running and
to autism but that didn’t stop
him from pouring his energy
and ambition into doing his first
marathon as a fundraiser for OAR.
A high school senior, Kosmarciuk started running
in May when he began training for the The LaSalle
Bank Chicago Marathon. “I got interested in running a
marathon because I wanted a focus for the summer,”
Kosmarciuk explains. “A friend suggested training
for a marathon... I wasn’t sure if I could do it, but I
try to challenge myself all the time and a marathon
sounded like a good challenge. It’s turned out to be
the biggest challenge of my life so far.”
He became even more invested in meeting his goal
of running a marathon when he found out he could
raise money for a charity. “That shifted my whole
focus from running to getting the word out about
autism,” he said. The high school senior didn’t know
anything about autism and his ignorance ignited his
curiousity about OAR as well as a couple of other
organizations. “OAR suggested I go visit Northshore
Pediatric Therapy [in Glenview, Illinois], and I spent a
whole day at this care center. I shadowed one of the
specialists who was taking care of the kids. I thought
it would be great to be able to do something about
autism.”
Kosmarciuk raised over $1,300 for OAR surpassing
his $1,000 fundraising goal. “I’m really glad to be
involved. It’s a great feeling to know you can change
the lives of those affected by autism and their families.”
Kosmarciuk’s Chicago Marathon time was 3:53:48.
Top Chicago Finishers... Men 1. Tim Meade 2:39:22... 2. Patrick Dill 2:50:41... 3. Bruce McNair 2:57:29... Women 1. Laura Ferguson 3:04:25... 2. Melissa Mast 3:08:42... 3. Elizabeth Bochtler 3:36:44
Director’s Chair
FAST FACTS
From Doug Marocco, Director of RUN FOR AUTISM
The RUN FOR AUTISM team is
1
Autism strikes 1 in every 166
children born.
2
Autism is the fastest-growing
developmental disability.
3
Autism affects three times
as many children as juvenile
diabetes.
4
Autism affects more children
than all childhood cancers
combined.
5
There is no genetic or medical
test to diagnose autism.
6
Autism has an annual cost of
$90 billion.
7
Autism affects 1.7 million
Americans.
8
OAR is the only autism
organization that focuses on
applied research.
made up of a range of people from veteran
marathoners to first time runners. For many
new runners, the cause to support autism is
their driving force to get to the starting line. However, after many months
of training, they truly become runners; the satisfaction that can be
seen on their faces after they cross
the finish line is inspiring.
I applaud each and every runner for
their dedication to compete in a race.
The commitment they made to support
autism makes them stand out even more
than the other tens of thousands of runners who competed in races throughout
the year. Congratulations to everyone that
reached their personal race goals. See you
next year!
Greg Beeker
4-Time RUN FOR AUTISM Runner
Weekend Warriors
Participating in a
marathon extends beyond
running on race day;
it includes the many
festivites that take place
over the weekend.
Marathon weekends
typically include an
expo, a pre-race
dinner, and a post-race
celebration. These events
allow runners to see
every aspect of marathon
running from technical
gear to meeting other
runners and sharing
running experiences.
Expo
Race weekend starts
in the host city with
registration and
packet pick-up at the
expo. This provides
an opportunity for
the fitness industry to
display its products to
the running community
and for last minutebuying for runners. With
over 75,000 people
passing through the
expos, the excitement
grows as runners meet
others who will be
competing in the race.
Recognition Dinner
Held on the eve of
race day, the RUN FOR
AUTISM - Runners’
Recognition Dinner
acknowledges all
the runners for their
efforts. The highlight
of the night is when
several runners give
testimonials on why
they are running the
next day. It is a special
moment that really
reflects what the RUN
FOR AUTISM is all about.
Charity Village Tent
After the race,
runners revel in their
accomplishment at the
OAR tent in the Charity
Village. Runners meet
up with family and
friends, share stories
about their run, and
relax after a long race.
It is also an opportunity
to meet the RUN FOR
AUTISM staff and fellow
RUN FOR AUTISM
runners.
Top MCM Finishers... Men 1. Brian Matthews 3:16:25... 2. Dan DeGuisto 3:20:51... 3. Dan Schultz 3:27:10... Women 1. Michelle Merlo 3:32:32... 2. Ashley Reyher 3:33:54... 3. Alana Van der Mude 3:36:45
M
UTIS
RA
O
F
RUN 2006!
Did
Joanna White
?
you
know
Run for Autism - America runners have particpated in NINE
other running events across the
country - New York City Marathon,
Grete’s Great Gallop, Chicago
Distance Classic, Parlor City Trot,
Oscar Vela
Hartford
Marathon,
Hartford 5K,
Shamrock
Shuffle, California International
Marathon and the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run. RUN - America
already has runners signed up for
Ashley Lienhardt
the Country Music Marathon and
Long Island Marathon next year!
The Next Step
2007 will mark the fifth anniversary of the RUN
FOR AUTISM. Starting with teams at the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 14 and the ING Miami Marathon® on January
Nick Abramczyk
28, RUN FOR AUTISM will continue with team events in Chicago
on March 25 at The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle
8K® and The LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic® on August 12. OAR will return for the 30th
anniversary of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon®
on October 7, and will finish its major run effort in
2007 by celebrating its fifth year with the Marine Corps
Marathon™ on October 28. If runners are unable
to participate in one of these
events, OAR gladly supports efforts at any race as part of OAR’s
RUN FOR AUTISM - AMERICA
Program.
Organization for Autism Research | 2000 N. 14th St., Suite 480 | Arlington, VA 22201
T 866.366.9710
F 703.243.9751
E [email protected]
www.researchautism.org