On Sunday, April 12, hundreds of participants are expected to gather in support of Kennedy Krieger’s ROAR for Kids event, which promises a delightful morning filled with family-friendly activities at the Maryland Zoo.
The ROAR for Kids event, organized by Kennedy Krieger, features an annual 5K road race as well as a low-mileage fun walk at the zoo. This year’s event has attracted a near-record number of registrations. The event will be officially kicked off by the Bennett Blazers, Kennedy Krieger’s youth adaptive sports team, ensuring accessibility for all participants. Participants can choose to run, walk, or roll across the finish line, with every participant receiving a finisher medal.
In addition to the race, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities including games, face painting, interactions with some of the Maryland Zoo’s animal ambassadors, giveaways, and music from a DJ. The day will culminate in a lively mascot dance-off featuring popular characters from local sports teams and schools.
Initiated in 2005, ROAR for Kids has successfully raised nearly $4 million to support programs and research for children at Kennedy Krieger. This year marks the 22nd edition of the event. Following the pandemic, the previous year set a record with 1,669 participants. As of now, 1,564 individuals have signed up, and with three days left until the event, along with on-site registration available, organizers anticipate surpassing last year’s figures.
Kennedy Krieger is dedicated to providing comprehensive services for children, adolescents, and adults facing a variety of disorders and injuries affecting the nervous system, serving nearly 30,000 patients each year.
The Maryland Zoo is situated at 1 Safari Place, Baltimore, MD. Registration for the event will commence at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 12. The 5K race is scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m., with the zoo opening its doors to the general public at 10:00 a.m. The formal proceedings of the Kennedy Krieger event will wrap up by 10:30 a.m. Please note that East Drive will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The day’s timeline is as follows:
- 6:30 a.m. Registration Opens
- 7:55 a.m. Fairmount School Kick-off Performance
- 8:00 a.m. 5K Begins
- 8:15 a.m. Fun Walk Begins & Final Call for Participants
- 9:00 a.m. Animal Ambassador #1
- 9:30 a.m. Awards Presentation & Animal Ambassador #2
- 9:45 a.m. Mascot Dance Party
- 10:00 a.m. Zoo Opens
- 10:30 a.m. Event Concludes
For those interested in participating in ROAR for Kids or seeking more information, please visit Kennedy Krieger’s website.
