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 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- The majority of our programs are in Central Maryland. We have groups that train and compete on a regular basis in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Harford County, Anne Arundel 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 with the individuals with disabilities.
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 the athletes with disabilities, their families, or organizations that support them.
Q- What is the time commitment?
A- There is none. We do require training sessions for all athletes before participation in a race.
Q- Do your volunteers go through background checks?
All of our staff, key volunteer area 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- Run at the pace that is comfortable for you. Your WingMan team will run at your pace.
A- ASA provides specialized equipment and patient and experienced WingMan. They will become a team and cross the finish line together no matter what 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- The majority of our programs are in Central Maryland. We have groups that train and compete on a regular basis in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Harford County, Anne Arundel 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 with the individuals with disabilities.
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 the athletes with disabilities, their families, or organizations that support them.
Q- What is the time commitment?
A- There is none. We do require training sessions for all athletes before participation in a race.
Q- Do your volunteers go through background checks?
All of our staff, key volunteer area 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- Run at the pace that is comfortable for you. Your WingMan team will run at your pace.
