Autism Run returns April 3 at Mayfield High after 2-year absence

Hearts for Autism will host the Autism Run, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 3, at Mayfield High School, 1955 N. Valley Drive.

The run returns after a two-year, pandemic-induced hiatus and for 2022 will include one-mile, 5k, 10k and half-marathon races.

“This is unique peer-to-peer fundraiser where participants are asked to join or create a team of their wish, then raise funds for Hearts for Autism,” said Hearts for Autism member Scott Fister, who is also the founder of the SunDragons ATC, one of the teams that will participate in the run.

Hearts for Autism was created in 2008 to empower southern New Mexico families in “celebrating the unique needs of autism and educating the community to embrace us all,” according to the organization’s mission.

“We have made asking and collecting donations easy,” Fister said, “as each (race) participant will have a unique pledge page for friends and family to donate on their behalf.”

Race participants can “customize your personal pledge page, tell your story of why you are raising funds and set a donation goal,” Fister said. “After customizing your page, just share it to friends and family via social media platforms for them to donate on your behalf – no money for you to track down and collect; everything is done through the registration site. We are asking for each participant to raise a minimum of $100. As a bonus, participants can earn gifts as they reach donation milestones,” Fister said.

Prizes for top fundraisers will be awarded in both individual and team competitions, he said.

All proceeds from the race will support Hearts for Autism summer camp for children with autism in June 2022.

To register for the run and for more information, visit raceroster.com/events/2022/57338/hearts-for-autism-las-cruces.

Visit www.heartsforautismlc.com/events.