Event Description

Each year, the Howard County Autism Society's Walk & 5K Run brings together those touched by autism and members of the wider community in a supportive, energizing and fun environment. 

This year, the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) is excited to partner with the Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake (ASBC) to bring the 2020 Every Step Counts Autism Walk & 5K Run to life. The collective goal is to raise $75,000 toward programs and services for a local autism community that is more than 5,000 strong!

Hybrid Walk & 5K Run

The Every Step Counts Autism Walk & 5K Run has traditionally featured a 5K run and a 4K walk around Centennial Lake in Ellicott City, MD. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 walk & 5K run will be a hybrid event*, with on-site and virtual event options. Participants may elect to walk or run at Centennial Park on October 3 OR participate virtually at a time and location of their choosing. Participants may change their event registration at any time.

• Participating In-Person? – CLICK to learn more
• Participating Virtually? – CLICK to learn more

Become a Fundraiser!

In addition to participating as a runner or walker, we invite participants to become fundraisers to help us reach our collective goal of $75,000. Here are some fundraising tips:

• Ask for Donations – invite family friends, neighbors and co-workers to support you
• Build a Team – Invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to run or walk with you and ask them to reach out to their networks
• Synch your fundraising or team page with Facebook to maximize your fundraising reach
• Build some friendly competition by joining our contests to encourage spirit, team-building and fundraising capacity
• For more fundraising tips, CLICK HERE

Every Step Counts LIVE! Event on October 3rd

The Walk & 5K Run will be streamed as a Facebook LIVE event direct from Centennial Park on October 3rd. Regardless of how you participate—on-site at the park or virtually via videoconference—Every Step Counts LIVE! will put all participants in the center of the action as the event unfolds. In addition to event coverage by our MCs, Every Step Counts LIVE! will feature a fitness warm up and yoga cool down, as well as pre-recorded messages from the autism community, local VIPs, sponsors and people just like you who support our mission! Every Step Counts LIVE! will wrap up the day's events with an evening awards ceremony and DJ dance party. Donations will be accepted to boost individual and team goals. Visit the Every Step Counts LIVE! tab for the schedule of activities. 

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Nationally the prevalence of autism is estimated at 1 in 54 births by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The overall rate in Maryland is about 1 in 52—one of the highest in the country—and Howard County has the highest incidence of autism per capita in the state owing to the quality of its educational system, support services and accepting community.  Now more than ever, #EveryStepCounts so that we can continue to provide critical services, raise awareness, and educate the public about the complexities of autism.  

Questions?  Contact the event coordinators at 410-290-3466 or info@howard-autism.org.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure the health and safety of all participants, HCAS reservs the right to convert, at any time, the Every Step Counts Autism Walk & 5K Run into an all-virtual event.