frequently asked questions
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Q- My child is in a wheelchair, how can she 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-Anyone is welcome. All you need is a passion and a desire. Our program will benefit all abilities. Q- Disability is a broad term. What specific types of disabilities do your athletes have? A-The majority of our athletes are significantly limited to minimal physical mobility, however we are open to anyone regardless of their physical abilities. If there is a will to compete, we will work together and do everything that our resources allow to find a way. 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, Anne Arundel County, Eastern Shore of Maryland-Salisbury, and Harrisburg Pennsylvania. We plan on adding groups in Harford County and Carroll County in 2015. |
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Q-What if I am not a runner, can my child still participate?
A- Family members and caregivers are welcome to participate, but it is not necessary. Athletic ability is not the main focus of our program for our athletes, WingMen, parents, or caregivers. 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. Our pool of WingMen continues to grow. To date we have over 200 WingMen who volunteer at training and race events throughout the year.
Q-What type of sports do you focus on?
A- 90% of our focus is on main stream running events. We compete mostly in local 5k’s, 10k’s, Ten Milers, Half Marathons and Full Marathons. We do have a triathlon team that competes in approximately 5 triathlons a year. We also have teams that compete in
several duathlons throughout the year.
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 athletes and WingMen before competing in an actual race, but WingMen may compete in one race a year, or several. Some of our athletes compete in over 12 races a year and train on a weekly basis.
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. Each of our athletes with disabilities is always in the presence of someone that has been background checked. We have a volunteer screening process, a volunteer code of conduct, and rules of the road. We require all WingMen to train
several times before we allow them to compete in a race.
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. We will pair WingMan teammates with you if you wish according to pace, but we are more concerned about the bonding and relationship building aspects of our program rather than how fast or slow you run.
A- Family members and caregivers are welcome to participate, but it is not necessary. Athletic ability is not the main focus of our program for our athletes, WingMen, parents, or caregivers. 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. Our pool of WingMen continues to grow. To date we have over 200 WingMen who volunteer at training and race events throughout the year.
Q-What type of sports do you focus on?
A- 90% of our focus is on main stream running events. We compete mostly in local 5k’s, 10k’s, Ten Milers, Half Marathons and Full Marathons. We do have a triathlon team that competes in approximately 5 triathlons a year. We also have teams that compete in
several duathlons throughout the year.
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 athletes and WingMen before competing in an actual race, but WingMen may compete in one race a year, or several. Some of our athletes compete in over 12 races a year and train on a weekly basis.
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. Each of our athletes with disabilities is always in the presence of someone that has been background checked. We have a volunteer screening process, a volunteer code of conduct, and rules of the road. We require all WingMen to train
several times before we allow them to compete in a race.
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. We will pair WingMan teammates with you if you wish according to pace, but we are more concerned about the bonding and relationship building aspects of our program rather than how fast or slow you run.
