frequently asked questions
Q- My child is in a wheelchair, how can they participate in a 5K event?
A- ASA provides specialized equipment and patient and experienced WingMan. They will become a team and cross the finish line together no matter what the obstacle.
Q-What is the age limit for athletes?
A- We work with individuals from 5 years of age to over 65.
Q-Is ASA focused only on serving individuals with disabilities?
A- Yes, at this time ASA's focus is to serve only those living with limited to no mobility.
Q-Where do you train and compete?
A- Most of our ASA Communities are located in Central Maryland. We have groups that train and race on a regular basis in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, Eastern Shore of Maryland-Salisbury, and South- Central Pennsylvania.
Q-What if I am not a runner, can my child still participate?
A- Yes, family members and caregivers are welcome to participate, but it is not necessary. Athletic ability is not the main focus of our program, we are more excited about hearts than legs. Only a small portion of our Athletes have family members who participate in training and racing.
Q-What type of sports do you focus on?
A- 90% of our focus is on mainstream running events. We compete mostly in local 5k’s, 10k’s, Ten Milers, Half Marathons and Full Marathons. We do participate in a limited number of multi-sport races, including triathlons and duathlons.
Q- What is the cost per year for an athlete in your program?
A- To date, through countless grantors, corporate sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we have been able to offer our program at no cost to our Athletes with disabilities and their families.
Q- What is the time commitment?
A- We do require that our Athletes attend one training session a month and that all Athletes attend two training sessions before participating in their first race.
Q- Do your volunteers go through background checks?
A- All of our staff, key volunteer Community Coordinators, and WingMan Captains are background checked, and have proven their character and trustworthiness over the years. Every Athlete, training or racing, is always accompanied by an individual who has been background checked. We have a volunteer screening process, a volunteer code of conduct, and rules of the road.
Q- I am a parent who would like to run with my child. How fast do I need to run to be a WingMan? Will I have help from others to push him/her?
A- As a Parent WingMan we ask that you be able to run, not walk, the entire distance of your desired race. A WingMan Team consists of an ASA Athlete, a Captain, and several WingMen. You and your Athlete will be paired with a Captain who will manage your team. You and the other WingMen on your team will share the pushing and will work together to cross the finish line. The pace of the team is managed by the Captain and is never faster than the slowest Wingman. Our focus is not about how quickly we cross the finish line but the time we spend together on the race course.
A- ASA provides specialized equipment and patient and experienced WingMan. They will become a team and cross the finish line together no matter what the obstacle.
Q-What is the age limit for athletes?
A- We work with individuals from 5 years of age to over 65.
Q-Is ASA focused only on serving individuals with disabilities?
A- Yes, at this time ASA's focus is to serve only those living with limited to no mobility.
Q-Where do you train and compete?
A- Most of our ASA Communities are located in Central Maryland. We have groups that train and race on a regular basis in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, Eastern Shore of Maryland-Salisbury, and South- Central Pennsylvania.
Q-What if I am not a runner, can my child still participate?
A- Yes, family members and caregivers are welcome to participate, but it is not necessary. Athletic ability is not the main focus of our program, we are more excited about hearts than legs. Only a small portion of our Athletes have family members who participate in training and racing.
Q-What type of sports do you focus on?
A- 90% of our focus is on mainstream running events. We compete mostly in local 5k’s, 10k’s, Ten Milers, Half Marathons and Full Marathons. We do participate in a limited number of multi-sport races, including triathlons and duathlons.
Q- What is the cost per year for an athlete in your program?
A- To date, through countless grantors, corporate sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we have been able to offer our program at no cost to our Athletes with disabilities and their families.
Q- What is the time commitment?
A- We do require that our Athletes attend one training session a month and that all Athletes attend two training sessions before participating in their first race.
Q- Do your volunteers go through background checks?
A- All of our staff, key volunteer Community Coordinators, and WingMan Captains are background checked, and have proven their character and trustworthiness over the years. Every Athlete, training or racing, is always accompanied by an individual who has been background checked. We have a volunteer screening process, a volunteer code of conduct, and rules of the road.
Q- I am a parent who would like to run with my child. How fast do I need to run to be a WingMan? Will I have help from others to push him/her?
A- As a Parent WingMan we ask that you be able to run, not walk, the entire distance of your desired race. A WingMan Team consists of an ASA Athlete, a Captain, and several WingMen. You and your Athlete will be paired with a Captain who will manage your team. You and the other WingMen on your team will share the pushing and will work together to cross the finish line. The pace of the team is managed by the Captain and is never faster than the slowest Wingman. Our focus is not about how quickly we cross the finish line but the time we spend together on the race course.
