24th AIDS Walk & Run adds Street Challenge, photo exhibit to this year’s event

By Anthony King | SDUN Editor

It’s official. The new name for San Diego County’s largest one-day HIV and AIDS fundraiser is now AIDS Walk, Run & Street Challenge San Diego, as organizers have upgraded the annual event with a new course, extended festival focusing on health and wellness, and, you guessed it, a street challenge featuring obstacle courses complete with beach balls, zombies and a costume contest.

Now in its 24th year, this year’s AIDS Walk is set for Saturday, Sept. 29, kicking off with the 10k run at 7:30 a.m. Walkers will take to their 5k course at 8:30 a.m., all starting in Balboa Park near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Quince Street.

Money raised through teams and individuals provides funding for local HIV/AIDS service organizations that serve approximately 12,500 people in the county, organizers said. A program of The San Diego LGBT Community Center, the event also helps raise awareness of HIV and AIDS.

AIDS Walk Coordinator Ian Johnson said the street challenges add a “high-energy element” to the annual event. The obstacles will test strength, endurance, agility and quick thinking.

“The funds raised from AIDS Walk are vitally important to our local HIV/AIDS service agencies, so we continue to develop new and creative opportunities for people to participate,” he said in a release.

The new street challenge will include a course through Balboa Park’s Marston Point, with six different obstacles, plus two workout stations. There are five different heats for the challenge, running every half hour between 9 and 11 a.m.

The first obstacle is “Attack of the Gladiators,” where participants will walk across a balance beam “while gladiators hurl giant bounders at you,” organizers said. Obstacle two, sponsored in part by Rich’s San Diego, is the “Zombie Wall Escape,” where a “horde of zombies” chase participants climbing over a wall.

In “Life’s a Beach,” the third obstacle, a large fenced-in area containing hundreds of beach balls takes on participants, who are challenged with making their way through the pit in record time. Organizers are encouraging street challenge participants to dress up in a costume of their choice, with a “Best Dressed” trophy awarded to the most unique costume.

Also new this year, organizers are offering an extra incentive to participants who are able to raise more than $100 for AIDS Walk. Called Superheroes, those who do will receive a special, limited edition T-shirt.

“We really wanted to recognize those folks who go beyond registering and commit to raising at least $100, with something special, and the ‘AIDS Walk Superhero’ shirt is just one way for us to express our gratitude for their efforts,” Johnson said.

While a fun, community event is planned, organizers are also taking the opportunity to remind participants of the long history of HIV and AIDS. Photographer Jae L. Hanson has been asked to display his photo series highlighting long-term survivors of the virus. Called “Survivors Exhibit,” the exhibit will be on display at the festival grounds and features images of men and women diagnosed before 1997.

“I present this project as a celebration of long-term survivors of HIV: those who were diagnosed during a scary time when premature death seemed a certainty, those who lost so many friends and family, those who have lived through the devastation caused by this disease [and] those who continue to live with courage,” Hansen said on the exhibit website, survivorsexhibit.com.

“I also present this project as a reminder that, while we have made great progress, the battle is not yet over,” he said. “Despite the medical advancements of the past decade, the effects of HIV remain with us.”

Darnell Walker has been volunteering for AIDS Walk since 2007. In 2010, he became an area coordinator for the event and said he valued his role in making the day a success. Motivated by the loss of an uncle to AIDS in 2004, Walker brings his entire family and friends to help, too.

“I got involved with AIDS Walk San Diego because someone asked me to be on their team,” Walker said in a press release. “The energy from that first experience was infectious so every time since – when The Center asks me to help – I love having the chance to give back to the community.”

More than 800 volunteers in total manage AIDS Walk, and organizers are always looking for individuals who can contribute time before or during the event. Those interested are asked to contact Volunteer Coordinator Jerry Tomaszewicz at 619-692-2077, extension 202.

The extended health fair in Balboa Park, including the “Survivors Exhibit,” is open to all. Individuals and teams can participate in the run, walk or street challenge only, as well as both the run and challenge, or walk and challenge.

Different sign-up options are available on the event website, and registration cost runs from $25 for a youth runner or walker, to $65 for a runner and challenger, or walker and challenger. No refunds will be given.

For more information on the event, including individual or group registration, visit aidswalksd.org or call 619-291-9255.