GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge 2023

After months of preparation and planning, our 2nd Annual GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge 5k run, 1-Mile Walk, and Kids Dash for Down Syndrome has come and gone. Over 320 runners, walkers, and volunteers joined together on a cold and rainy day to celebrate those with an extra copy of their 21st chromosome and spread awareness that there are still more strides to make to create an accepting world. We moved for acceptance, inclusion, and kindness!

We started off the chilly day welcoming competitive runners bright and early at 8am to pick up their bibs and packets, and get warmed up before the 9am start! The first runner crossed the finish line in just over 16 minutes! Many runners had either ran with us at our previous GFAC event in 2022, or simply heard about our run from social media, local running groups, or friends! We love inviting new supporters into the world of acceptance through our events and fundraising!

Our 5k winners were:

First place overall male with a new course record: Steve Esposito

First place overall female with a new course record: Brieanne O Smith

First masters female: Christine Marchuska

First masters male: Mike Middendorf

The excitement of the 5k race lead into the excitement of our Playhouse families and their supporters joining us for warm up Zumba, the Kids Dash for Down Syndrome, and the 1-Mile Inspirational Walk! Our amazing Zumba leader, Cass, kept our walkers warm and helped cool down those who had just run the 5k. Seeing the runners who may had never heard about GiGi’s and our mission to spread acceptance join in with our participants with Down syndrome and their families in Zumba was very special!

After getting warmed up with Zumba, we heard opening remarks from 4 year long Board President, Linda, who passed the torch to new co-presidents, Anna and Chris. We were also surprised with the presentation of a $50,000 grant from Broome County Small Community Fund towards our ‘Believe in our Build’ Capital Campaign for our new space in the Oakdale Commons! We are so grateful for a community that has come along side our mission and supports us in many ways.

To kick off the 1-Mile Inspirational Walk, we invited all children to run in the Kids Dash for Down Syndrome. We love having all family members, youngest to oldest, join in on all activities! The Kids Dash kicked off the 1-Mile Walk, where families and supporters walked together to show their support for spreading acceptance to others walking at Otsiningo Park and our greater community, and to show our participants and loved ones with Down syndrome that they are

worth it.

We finished the morning by presenting awards to each participant who created a team to help us fundraise! This year we had over 20 teams be created as a part of the GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge. 20 families and groups who posted on their social media, sent their team link to family and friends, and helped our Playhouse raise funds and exposure!

This event was not possible without the help of our event committee, those who donated food and drinks, day-of volunteers, donors and sponsors, and everyone who came out to walk and run! We feel the support from our community, and because of that we continue to rev-up and do bigger and better things within our Playhouse and community!