Join us as we kick off Autism Awareness Month with an exciting and meaningful event!  My name is Jenna Grimes, the Blazing 5k and Fun Run Race Director and you may be wondering how the “Blazing Fun Run & 5K” came to be…  My son’s name is Blaze. Blaze was diagnosed with autism eleven days before his 3rd birthday. My whole family wanted a way to support the autism community, so we began traveling to Oklahoma City & Tulsa to attend fun runs! I shortly realized it was a dream of mine to start one in Blaze’s name to raise awareness & inclusion in our community. Honestly, I had no idea where to start until I met Brina Dutton. She had started a nonprofit organization, The Owen Foundation, in honor of her son. I met her at an autism mom’s coffee meet & had brought up this crazy dream of mine. Long story short, a few meetings later, she passed me a note while we were in a meeting telling me her vision for the run! We both had immediate tears of happiness. We began planning & prepping for our first run. We chose the month of April due to it being autism awareness month. Amazingly, we put it all together in a very short time! Our first run was incredibly successful as 300 people from our community showed up! 

We are thrilled to see what our second race brings. The race will take you through the historic town of Durant offering a flat and fast course for both seasoned runners and those just looking to enjoy a leisurely run. There will be entertainment, refreshments, and plenty of activities for participants of all ages.

By participating, you'll be helping to fund important programs and services provided by the Owen Foundation, which supports individuals and families affected by autism. Let's come together to make a positive impact and celebrate the strength and resilience of the autism community.

Whether you're running for a cause, for fun, or for fitness, this event is for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference and enjoy a fantastic day with friends, family, and fellow supporters.

We look forward to seeing you there!