Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism set for this Saturday

Ready to do a little bit of running and maybe some roaring for a great cause?

Hundreds of area residents will be gathering Saturday in front of the Bill & Virginia Leffen Center of Autism for the annual Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism. This year’s theme – “Walk, Run and Roar!” – is centered around prehistoric animals, so dyno costumes of all sizes and colors are encouraged.

The 5K run is a certified course for runners and the walk stretches a mile through the nearby Rotary Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park.

The combined walk and run serves as one of the Leffen Center’s largest fundraisers, helping officials provide diagnostic, treatment and educational services, including scholarship assistance, for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Such funding is needed, considering one out of 36 children and one out of 45 adults are on the spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Participants are encouraged to wear specialized shirts or themed costumes during the walk and run. There will be opportunities to purchase fun Autism awareness items and raffle baskets, while a vendor fair will provide free giveaways for the kids as well as information for families.