Sunday, October 19, 2008 | Start Time: 8:00 am | Des Moines, IA

If you are already registered, please join our team by visiting Firstgiving.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa.  Official course announcements and Start Line festivities will begin at 7:45 a.m.  The Start Line is located at 309 Locust Street.  The IMT Des Moines Marathon will head east from Nollen Plaza towards the Iowa State Capitol.  

By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM Team, you are choosing to be a part of a group of committed individuals dedicated to participating in events to raise funds for autism research.

Why Run for Autism?

• Raise money for autism research - More than $.87 of every dollar you raise will directly fund research studies that help answer some of autism’s most pressing questions.
• Whether you are a runner, walker, donor or volunteer, your contribution makes you part of OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM team.
• In the end, you will have made a difference in the lives of thousands of families living with autism.

Autism is:

• a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact socially. There is no known cure, and it remains a lifelong challenge.
• more prevalent than Down Syndrome, childhood diabetes and childhood cancer combined
• estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 150 births and affect 1.7 million children and adults in the U.S. today

Research, like OAR-sponsored studies, is needed to find answers and provide practical solutions for those with autism today.

RUN FOR AUTISM Team Member Benefits:

• RUN FOR AUTISM t-shirt and runner's singlet (tank top)
• RUN FOR AUTISM Fundraising Guide
• A personal fundraising web page
• An online discussion forum for RUN FOR AUTISM runners

Fundraising:

OAR has no minimum fundraising requirement. OAR believes in a "Set Your Own Goal" fundraising philosophy. OAR's goals for 2008 are to have 1,000 marathon runners and raise more than $1,000,000. OAR's runners have historically averaged raising between $1,500 and $2,000. Runners who raise $2,500 or more receive special recognition at the Runners' Recognition Dinner held the evening before the marathon.

Registration

Registration for the Des Moines Marathon is a two-step process:

1. Sign up for the RUN FOR AUTISM - Des Moines Team. There is no cost to you. To join the RUN FOR AUTISM - Des Moines Team, please visit www.firstgiving.com/oar.

2. Click here to register for the Des Moines Marathon Event of your choice.