REGISTRATION COMING SOON
October 3, 2026 – 9am to Noon
Centennial Park in Ellicott City, MD
Benefiting the Autism Society of Maryland
Help AUSOM celebrate 20 years of our signature, family-friendly Superhero event—a high-energy day uniting the autism community and its allies for a 5K Run, 4K Walk, or 1K Stroll.
As our largest event of the year, it attracts 1,200 participants and supporters for a powerful celebration of inclusion and connection. Sponsors receive a table in the sponsorship tent, strong visibility through digital marketing, social media, and event signage, plus FREE Walk/5K registrations and event t-shirts, along with the benefits listed below
Unleash Your Inner Superhero
at this Super-Powered Community Celebration!
Last year’s Every Step Counts Walk & 5K was truly a superpowered success. Nearly 1,000 participants came together to celebrate inclusion, connection, and the strength of Maryland’s autism community—and the Superhero theme brought extra joy, energy, and excitement to the day.
From creative costumes and capes to cheers at the finish line, the superhero celebration reminded us that heroes come in all forms. The overwhelming support from families, teams, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters made the event unforgettable and helped fuel programs and services that support autistic individuals and their families across Maryland.
Because of the incredible response and community excitement, we’re bringing the Superheroes back again this year as we celebrate a very special milestone—AUSOM’s 20th anniversary. This year’s walk will honor two decades of advocacy, support, and community, and we can’t wait to celebrate together in superhero style.
And back by popular demand, the fan-favorite SuperPooches are back! Our four-legged heroes will once again take center stage, showing off their capes, spreading smiles, and reminding us that love, comfort, and companionship are powerful superpowers too.
As we get ready to celebrate 20 years of Every Step Counts, we invite our community to suit up, show up, and help make this milestone walk our most memorable yet. Together, we’ll continue building a more inclusive world—one step at a time.
CLICK HERE to see more highlights from our 2025 Walk & 5K!
5K Run, 4K Walk or 1K Stroll
There are many ways for you and your family and friends to participate this year! Kids under the age of 11 can walk or run for FREE but registration is required to receive a t-shirt. CLICK to learn more:
- Timed 5K Run around Centennial Lake with awards for male, female and nonbinary finishers
- 4K Walk around Centennial Lake
- 1K Stroll for those seeking a shorter walk distance
- Become a Fundraiser
Event Village
The Every Step Counts event village will be back better than ever. Be sure to arrive early to visit our Resource Fair featuring event sponsors and vendors. Bring the kids! Take in the family-friendly fare that will include inflatables, entertainment by roving performers, bubble and balloon artists, and costumed characters. Fill your tank with tasty refreshments. Get up to date on your vaccines by visiting the mobile clinic hosted by Giant Food Pharmacy. Event highlights at Centennial Park on October 4 will be shared on social media to put participants and spectators, regardless of their location, in the center of the action as the event unfolds.
Become a Sponsor
Leading up to the event, sponsors and community supporters will be recognized on the event website, on social media and in promotional materials. On-site at the event, sponsors and other supporters will be featured on signage and in event highlights posted to social media. CLICK to download the Sponsor Packet or visit the Sponsor page to learn more.
Sign Up to Volunteer
We look forward to welcoming back our volunteers. We’re offering all of the traditional volunteer tasks associated with an in-person foot race. Sign-up is easy. Visit the Every Step Counts Volunteer page to select a task and sign up online. Or click HERE to download a Volunteer Application.
Together, We Can Make a Difference!
Since 1993, the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) has supported Autistic individuals, families, and communities across Maryland. In 2023, we expanded our service area to include Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties, allowing us to reach even more people.
AUSOM promotes Autism acceptance and provides information and referrals, Special Education resources, support programs, and advocacy to help individuals and families access what they need, when they need it.
With Autism diagnoses rising to 1 in 31 nationally and 1 in 38 in Maryland, our mission matters more than ever. With your support, #EveryStepCounts toward a more inclusive, connected, and empowered community.
Thank you for supporting AUSOM
#AutismStrongMD #EveryStepCounts
Questions? Contact the event coordinators at 410-290-3466 or info@autismsocietymd.org.
Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors!
TITLE SPONSORS
Pete Pappas & Sons . Elevate Spectrum
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Behavioral Framework . Amigo Care ABA
GOLD SPONSORS
2-17 The Difference . The Family of Shane Syed . Harkins Builders, Inc. . Lisa Higgins-Hussman Foundation . Maryland Dept. of Health, Cancer and Chronic Disease Bureau . Ronald and Cynthia Gula Charitable Fund . SECU . SupAbilities
SILVER SPONSORS
ALCO Pharmacy . APL Federal Credit Union . Apple Ford Lincoln . Miclette Consulting . L. Earl & Mary T. Armiger Foundation . Maryland Live Casino . Sherma & Associates – Sign Sponsor . Verbal Beginnings . Wegmans
IRON SPONSORS
Davis Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC
BRONZE SPONSORS
Crossroads Psychological Associates . Kennedy Krieger Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation . Sheppard Pratt Health System
COPPER SPONSORS
Attain ABA Therapy . Back to Basics Pediatric Therapy . Children Matter Therapy 4 Kids . Children’s Specialized ABA Center for Autism . Compassionate Care ABA Therapy . Elville and Associates . EmpoweredED Advocates . Front Row Pediatric Dentistry . GT Independence . Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home . Helping Hands Family . Howard County Education Association . Linwood Center . Stephanie Maric, Realtor, The Legal Team . NeuroBehavioral Associates . SPIRIT Club . Valley Deck & Patio
FRIEND SPONSOR
Robin & Robert Ballinger, Sr. . The Curran Knittle Group at Harbor Investment Advisory . Harper’s Choice Community Association . Kennedy Krieger Behavioral Psychology . Lifesolved Coaching . Maryland ABLE . Thrive Emerge
IN-KIND SPONSOR
Feet First . Columbia Presbyterian Church
GRAB N GO BAG SPONSOR
Maryland Department of Health, Cancer & Chronic Disease
VALUED PARTNERS
Accessible Resources for Independence . The Arc of Howard County . Athletes Serving Athletes . Autism Society of America . Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake . Disability Rights Maryland . Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community . Every Life Works . Giant Food – Pharmacy . Howard County Public School System Family Support & Resource Center . Howard County Public School System Special Education . Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks . Howard County Disability Services – The Loan Closet of Howard County . Howard County Government – Office of the Local Children’s Board . Howard County Health Department . Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition . Howard County Police Department . Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) . Howard County Special Olympics . Maryland Autism Coalition . Maryland Coalition of Families . My Life Learning Center . The Parents’ Place of Maryland . Partnership for Extraordinary Minds (xMinds) . Pathfinders of Autism . People on the Go Maryland . Project Look At Me . R. I. C. O. C. H. E. T. Inc. . UMD Autism Family Culture and Communication Education Lab (ACCEL) . The Wendy KLAG Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities
Race Timing provided by: Racine MultiSports
T-Shirts provided by: Every Life Works
Awards and Trophies provided by: Advantage Awards and Engraving
Graphic Design provided by: Market Impressions
Video Production provided by: Dog House Media
Show your Super-Power Support and Sponsor the Every Step Counts Walk & 5K today! CLICK HERE to sponsor now!
