Get Ready for the Sweetest Run in San Diego!

Are you ready for an active, outdoor fundraising event that’s as fun as it is meaningful? Whether you’re looking to set a personal record, enjoy a stroll by the bay, or just indulge in a well-earned donut, the upcoming GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego Donut Run is the event for you! This annual tradition brings together families, friends, and fitness enthusiasts from across San Diego of all abilities to celebrate acceptance, inclusion, and community while supporting a fantastic cause.

Mark your calendars and lace up your running shoes because the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge – Donut Run is coming up! Join us on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Crown Point Park on Mission Bay for a day full of fun, community, and, of course, delicious donuts!

What’s the Donut Run All About?

The San Diego Donut Run is more than just a 5K fun run, a 1-mile walk/stroll, or the Dash for Down syndrome—it’s a celebration of acceptance, inclusion, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or just here for the donuts (we get it), there’s something for everyone!

And the best part? All proceeds go directly to GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, providing free programs and resources for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This fundraising event ensures that we can continue to offer these vital programs at no cost to participants.

Taking place at all our Playhouse locations across the country, the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge is GiGi’s Playhouse’s largest peer-to-peer fundraiser and an exciting, inclusive fitness event open to the entire community! There are three main ways you can support GiGi’s Playhouse and become a GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Champion:

• Attend the Event – Whether you create your own GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge team or join an existing team, you can help us raise awareness and funds by signing up and inviting your network to join you!
• Donate – If you cannot attend a GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge event, you can still support by making a monetary donation. The money we raise from the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge allows us to continue providing 100% FREE programming to the Down syndrome community and their families.
• Sponsorship – If you’re a local San Diego or national business, you can support our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge by becoming a sponsor! Whether you choose to sponsor at the local or national level, you can partner with GiGi’s Playhouse as we work to facilitate understanding, build free programming, and create a more accepting world.

Programs That Make a Difference

Every dollar raised from this event directly supports GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, ensuring we can continue providing FREE programs and resources to the San Diego Down syndrome community. GiGi’s Playhouse offers life-changing programs for individuals with Down syndrome of all ages—from prenatal support to adult participants. Our research-based curriculum is designed to enhance quality of life and provide specific therapeutic or educational learning opportunities. Some of the amazing programs supported by this event include:

• Dance – Introduces basic dance styles and techniques while improving gross motor skills, muscle memory, strength, flexibility, and coordination.
• Literacy & Math Tutoring – One-on-one tutoring programs tailored to the interests of each participant. Literacy tutoring improves sight word recognition, comprehension, speech clarity, and fine motor skills, while Math tutoring builds confidence, problem-solving skills, independence, and fine motor skills using a multi-sensory, strength-based approach.
• Karate Kickers – Focuses on balance, coordination, discipline, and confidence through foundational karate and martial arts movements.
• Teen Tastic – Helps teens build social skills through team-based activities in a fun and casual setting, developing turn-taking, problem-solving, and compromise skills.
• GiGi’s Kitchen – A hands-on cooking program for teens and adults, emphasizing nutrition education, kitchen safety, and meal preparation while building self-confidence and independence.

Click here to check our our upcoming program calendar.

Why Should You Join?

👟 Run, Walk, or Stroll for a Cause – No matter your age, pace, or ability, your participation makes a difference! Choose between a 5k fun run, 1 mile walk/stroll or the Dash for Down Syndrome!

🎉 Build a Team – Grab your friends, family, coworkers, or workout buddies and create a team! Running (or walking) is always more fun with your favorite people. Plus, you’ll have a blast raising funds together!

🎽 Get the Gear – Every registered participant receives a race shirt, a finisher’s medal, and (you guessed it) a donut! Make sure to register by March 31st to guarantee your shirt!

🏡 Support Local – Our vendor area will feature amazing local businesses, so you can shop, snack, and connect with our vibrant San Diego community.

You DONUT Want to Miss This!

Sign up today and be part of an unforgettable event that brings people together and spreads a message of love, acceptance, and fun. Let’s make 2025 our biggest year yet!

📢 Register now and join the fun!

Want to learn more about our how to become a sponsor and help make this event possible? Click here to learn about sponsorship opportunities.