REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
October 3, 2026 – 9am to Noon
Centennial Park in Ellicott City, MD
Benefiting the Autism Society of Maryland
Unleash Your Inner Superhero at this Super-Powered Community Celebration!
In 2026, AUSOM is celebrating 20 years of making Every Step Count. To mark this very special milestone, we’re bringing back the AUSOM Superheroes theme for this family-friendly event. You’re invited to join the autism community’s universe of AUSOM superheroes for a 5K Run, 4K Walk or 1K Stroll and other super-powered fun and entertainment on October 3rd.
Every Step Counts is AUSOM’s largest event and biggest fundraiser of the year. More than 1,200 supporters of the autism community turn out to show their super-powered support of acceptance, inclusion and connection. The creative costumes and capes, fun entertainment for all ages, and cheers at the finish line remind us that heroes come in all forms. The overwhelming support from families, teams, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, donors and supporters make the event unforgettable and help fuel programs, services and advocacy that support autistic individuals and their families across Maryland.
Sponsors and community partners are invited to join the party with a table in the resource tent and FREE registrations and event t-shirts/capes for the 5K Run, 4K Walk or 1K Stroll. Sponsors also get enhanced brand visibility through digital marketing, social media, and event signage.
Be a part of the incredible, super-charged energy of our inclusive community in 2026.
Check out the Every Steps Counts highlight reels from 2025!
Meet the Super Pooches
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.
Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors!
TITLE SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Amigo Care ABA – Race Bib Sponsor . Behavioral Framework – Children’s Play Area Sponsor Harkins Builders – Photo Booth Sponsor . SupAbilities – SuperPooch Parade Sponsor . Tenable
GOLD SPONSORS
ABA Prep – Children’s Play Area Sponsor . Brain Balance . Compassionate Care ABA, LLC – Water Stop Sponsor . The Gula Tech Foundation . Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center – Resource Tent Sponsor . Lisa Higgins-Hussman Foundation . Maryland Department of Health, Cancer and Chronic Disease Bureau – Grab ‘n Go Bag Sponsor . Meridian Bank . SECU – DJ & Emcee Sponsor . The Family of Shane Syed – 4K Walk Sponsor . SOAR Autism Center – Face Painting Sponsor . Verbal Beginnings – Check-in Sponsor
SILVER SPONSORS
ALCO Pharmacy . APL Federal Credit Union . Apple Ford Lincoln Honda . Columbia Association – Tent Sponsor . Integrative Dental Wellness . L. Earl & Mary T. Armiger Foundation . Lewicky, O’Connor, Huynt & Meiser . Sharma & Associates – Sign Sponsor
IRON SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
COPPER SPONSORS
AbleMinds ABA . Affirm . Attain ABA Therapy . Crafton Dental . Golden Steps ABA . Howard County Education Associaton . The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford – Employment Law . Kavana Care, LLC . Kay Services . Linwood Center – Parking Shuttle Sponsor . Snowflakes ABA . Special Strong Central Maryland . Stephanie Maric, Realtor, The Legal Team – Awards Sponsor
FRIEND SPONSOR
IN-KIND SPONSOR
Columbia Presbyterian Church . Howard County Public School System – Parking Shuttle Sponsor . Wegmans
VALUED PARTNERS
Accessible Resources for Independence . The Arc of Howard County . Athletes Serving Athletes . Autism Society of America . CAPA SEEDS . Center for Autism at Children’s National Hospital . Emilia’s Acrobatics Gymnastics & Cheer . Giant Food – Pharmacy . HCPSS Safety Initiative – Safety Net Supply Closet . 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 Department Fire and Rescue . Howard County Ofice of Human Rights & Equity . Howard County Police Department . Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) . Hussman Center for Adults with Autism . Maryland ABLE . Montgomery Disability Advocates . Montgomery Parks . My Life Learning Center . NAMI Howard County . Pathfinders of Autism . People on the Go Maryland . R. I. C. O. C. H. E. T. Inc. Special Olympics Maryland Howard County . The Parents’ Place of Maryland . SPIRIT Club . Partnership for Extraordinary Minds (xMinds)
Race Timing provided by: Racine MultiSports
T-Shirts provided by: Charm City Screen Print
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!
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 10 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 3 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.
2025 Highlights and Photos!
CLICK HERE to see more highlights from our 2025 Walk & 5K!
