GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge 2025
Officially Timed 5K = SO Much Fun and Acceptance!
This year’s GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge had it all—smiles, medals, sweat, superheroes, and SO much fun and acceptance! We officially timed our 5K for the very first time, and the results are in: it was a blast!
One of the biggest standouts? Paul Ward, proud uncle to EB who attends our programming, flew in from Seattle for less than 24 hours just to run with us! He’s training for a 100-mile race (yes, really!) and raising $10,000 to support our Playhouse. Talk about going the distance for acceptance!
Before the starting line, Nick Siino from Craft Sports got everyone moving with pre-race stretches. Then DJ Redikulus from UC Davis kept the music thumping while our amazing adult participant Jasmine Little delivered a powerful speech that brought the crowd to their feet.
And speaking of music… our very own GiGi’s Rock Band totally rocked the event! Their live performance brought all the energy and joy—and had everyone dancing along!
Dinger and the Sacramento River Cats crew brought the hype, cheering on runners and walkers with high-fives, big smiles, and major energy. And the 21-Yard Dash for Down Syndrome? It was hands-down the cutest and most heartwarming race of the day!
The park was packed with love and support from all corners of our community, including:
• Best Buddies, DSIA, and Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty
• F3, Face Painting by Aelisha, and visits from Princess & Spider-Man
• Yummy eats from Taquizas El Shaddai, Old Town Pizza, and icy treats from Snowie King
• Community heroes from CHP, AMR, and a UCD Medical Center–staffed First Aid Station
• Incredible partners like UCD MIND Institute and Bridgeway Church
We’re sending a HUGE thank-you to every runner, walker, sponsor, donor, volunteer, staff, and board member who made this event unforgettable—and a special shoutout to our amazing Event Co-Chairs Holly Siino and Eric Johnson for bringing it all to life!
This wasn’t just a race—it was a celebration of strength, joy, music, movement, and a whole lot of acceptance.
Let’s keep running toward a world where everyone is accepted and included—one awesome step at a time!
Recent Posts
