In January 2027, I’ll be taking on one of runDisney’s biggest endurance challenges — the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World.

The Dopey Challenge means running four races on four consecutive days: a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon — 48.6 miles in total. It’s not just one long race. It’s four straight mornings of early wake-ups, racing, recovering, and then getting back up the next day to do it all over again, finishing with a full 26.2-mile marathon on already-tired legs.
It’s going to take months of training, a lot of discipline, and probably more than a little stubbornness — but I’m proud to be taking it on for something bigger than myself.

I’ll be running in support of the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and raising money to help advance the important work they do for individuals with autism and their families.

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps make a difference. If you’re able to contribute, I’d be incredibly grateful. And if you can’t donate, simply sharing this page with your family and friends would mean just as much.

48.6 miles. Four days. One great cause.

Thank you for supporting me, OAR, and every mile of this journey!

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 31 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM team, you’re supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism and their families today.


Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM team:

$10 provides a Curriculum in a Box professional development set to general education teachers.
$25 provides 15 copies of A Guide to Safety to families and first responders.
$100 provides the Kit for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school.
$150 provides 100 copies of a Life Journey through Autism guidebook sent to a community support group or military installation.
$1,000 provides a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
$3,000 provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.
$50,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.