3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run
When is 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run?
3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Charlotte, NC.
What distances does 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run offer?
3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run offers 2 events: 5K, Kids Fun Run.
| Event | Distance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 3.1 mi | $40.00 | Register |
| Kids Fun Run | 100.0 km | $15.00 | Register |
How much does 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run cost?
Registration for 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run starts at $15.00. Prices vary by event distance.
Where is 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run held?
3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run is held in Charlotte, NC at 8840 Blakeney Professional Dr.
About 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run
People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome. That's why this race has a little something extra too! Runners will cross the standard 5K finish line, then go on to run to an extra finish line to represent the extra chromosome in our friends with Down syndrome. Runners will be cheered on the "extra" dash by spectators with Down syndrome!
All runners are invited to join us after the race for the World Down Syndrome Day celebration including food, games and bounce houses!
Awards
This is a timed 5K race. The first finish line is the official timed 5K finish line. The EXTRA finish line is untimed and is after you finish your 5K.
The Fun Run is NOT timed.
Awards will be given in the following 5K categories:
Overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Male and Female
1st 2nd and 3rd place male and female in the following age groups:
14 and under
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+
Course
The 5K course starts and ends at Elevation Church, with the majority of the course on beautiful neighborhood streets.
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4855417594
The Fun Run is a safe closed course inside of the parking lot. This short distance untimed run is suitable for even the youngest Dashers!
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4860945514
Course Support
| Volunteer First Name | Volunteer Last Initial | Course Number | Course Location | NAVIGATION LINK | Directions | Parking | NOTES |
| Ames | H. | 009 | Hirsch Dr @ Bacardi Ct | https://w3w.co/sloshed.haunt.transferred | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 8323 Hirsch Dr | |
| Kristen | S. | 011 | Hanworth Trace Dr @ Leeper Ct | https://w3w.co/ironwork.reviews.toolbars | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 8431 Leeper Dr | |
| Kayah | B. | 014 | Earlham Ct @ Castlebay Dr | https://w3w.co/ordeals.fevers.foxhole | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 8421 Earlham Dr | |
| Aleysha | S. | 015 | Egerton Dr @ Castlebay Dr | https://w3w.co/applications.goofy.suggested | Runner continue STRAIGHT on Castlebay Dr | street parking near 9037 Castlebay Dr | |
| Gayatari | A. | 017 | Castle Bay Dr @ Netherfield Ct | https://w3w.co/sharpened.butler.spender | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 8500 Netherfiled Ct | |
| Shea | H. | 019 | Castle Bay Dr @ Quintrell Dr | https://w3w.co/bolstered.forgetful.fluctuate | Runners continue STRAIGHT on Castlebay Dr | street parking near 8426 Quintrell Dr | |
| Carly | G. | 025 | Ardrey Woods Dr @ Kristens Mare Dr | https://w3w.co/clicking.combs.blackboard | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 9805 Ardrey Woods Dr | |
| Ashley | L. | 031 | Ardrey Kell Rd @ Blakeney Preserve Dr | https://w3w.co/oddness.kept.dictating | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking 9045 Ardrey Kell Rd | |
| Lorraine | A. | 034 | Mcalwiane Preserve Ln@ Blakeney Professional Dr | https://w3w.co/lowers.rife.numb | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | Park at Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte 8936 Blakeney Professional Dr Then use navigation link to cross street to Mcalwaine Preserve Ln | |
| Emma | C. | 100 | Kids R Kids Academy | https://what3words.com/alarmingly.instinct.casual | Runners turn RIGHT towards finish line | Park at Kids R Kids Academy 6250 Blakeney Park Dr | you are very close to the finish line |
| Matt | S. | 101 | Shine Dentistry | https://what3words.com/equator.tablet.statuses | Runners to STRAIGHT towards finish line | Park near Shine Dentistry 9336 Blakeney Center Dr | you are very close to the finish line |
| Saa'Nya | M. | 018 | Castle Bay Dr @ Delberry Ln | https://w3w.co/learning.adapting.upper | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 8624 Castlebay Dr | |
| Hailey | B. | 033 | Bishop Crest Ln @ Blakeney Professional Dr | https://w3w.co/exulted.buttoned.engage | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | Park at Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte 8936 Blakeney Professional Dr Then use navigation link to cross street to Bishop Crest Ln. | |
| Kayla | R. | 024 | Ardrey Woods Dr @ Cotton Press Rd | https://w3w.co/squeezing.twitches.sectors | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | street parking near 8408 Cotton Press Rd | |
| Cristian | O. | 200 | Blakeney Center Dr @ parking lot | https://what3words.com/risky.farce.cough | Runners turn LEFT onto Blakeney Professinal Dr | Park near Elevation Church 8835 Blakeney Professional Dr | you are very close to the start line |
| Linnea & Kristen | R. | 035 | Blakeney Center Dr @ Blakeney Professional Dr | https://what3words.com/fangs.eventful.damp | Runners go STRAIGHT past you. | Park at Envision Dentist 8840 Blakeney Professional Dr | Right across from WDSD lot near Envision Dentist. You'll just make sure no cars come out of that lot while runners are passing. |
Packet Pickup
PRE RACE Packet Pickup
FRIDAY, March 21, 2025
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Charlotte Running Company, Promenade
5355 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, #200
RACE DAY Packet Pickup
SATURDAY, March 22, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM (Fun Run packet pickup will stay open until 9:15 AM)
Elevation Blakeney (at the start/finish line)
8835 Blakeney Professional Dr
Thanks to our friends at Charlotte Running Company - Promenade for THIRTEEN years of partnership with the 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K! Visit them for all of your running needs, and thank them for supporting the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte!
RACE DAY INSTRUCTIONS
3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Fun Run
EVENT DETAILS
SATURDAY, March 22, 2025
5K Starts at 8:30 AM | Fun Run starts at 9:15 AM
Elevation Church Blakeney
8835 Blakeney Professional Dr
Charlotte, NC 28277
PLEASE NOTE, THERE ARE TWO ELEVATION CHURCH CAMPUSES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA, SO PLEASE USE 8835 BLAKENEY PROFESSIONAL DRIVE TO NAVIGATE!
PACKET PICKUP
PRE RACE PACKET PICKUP
FRIDAY, March 21, 2025
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Charlotte Running Co. Promenade
5355 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy
Charlotte, NC 28277
RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP
SATURDAY, March 22, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Elevation Church parking lot
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00 AM - Race Day Packet Pickup Opens
8:00 AM - Fitness demo by GiGi Fits in the expo area
8:30 PM - 5K Starts
9:00 AM - Martial arts demo by Movement Family Martial Arts near the Kids Dash Start Line
9:15 AM - Kids Dash Starts
Awards Ceremony - immediately following Kids Dash
PARKING
There is plenty of parking in neighboring businesses at Ballantyne Professional Center. Please follow any posted parking regulations.
COURSE
View the course map here: https://runsignup.com/Race/321Dash/Page/Course
THE EXTRA DASH: TWO FINISH LINES
After crossing the official 5K finish line, runners continue on the "Extra Dash" for Down syndrome, a quick sprint to the 2nd finish line! Why? Glad you asked. People with Down syndrome have a 3rd (or extra) copy of the 21st chromosome....that's why we celebrate on 3/21 with a little something extra!
March 21 is a globally recognized day of celebration! The United Nations declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day in 2011, with the first official observance in 2012. We are thrilled to be a part of this worldwide celebration that aims to educate the world about Down syndrome and celebrate the value that individuals with Down syndrome have in their communities around the world. Thanks for celebrating with us!
AWARDS
5K AWARD Categories can be found HERE: https://runsignup.com/Race/321Dash/Page-2
QUESTIONS?
Email us at steph@goaheadevents.com or call 704-237-0301.
Water Stop Instructions
WATER STOP INSTRUCTIONS
SET UP:
1. Dump the jugs of water into the orange coolers (DO NOT THROW THE JUGS OR THE
CAPS AWAY, THEY ARE REUSABLE)
2. If ice is provided, add a small amount of ice to the coolers.
3. Use the pitchers to scoop water from the coolers and fill several cups. Cups should be
filled no more than halfway. Start with about 75 cups and add more as needed. Avoid letting ice pour into runners cups.
4. Set up trash bins and trash bags. Trash bins should be set past the Water Stop as runners
will grab their cups and keep running, and then toss the cup when they are done.
DURING THE RUN:
Make sure there are plenty of water cups on the table. Runners may grab cups from table, or volunteers can hand cups to them.
AFTER:
- Please be sure all cups are cleaned up and placed in the trash bins after the race (even
the ones the runners dropped on the ground).
- Leave water jugs and coolers near the table.
End Time: Estimated end time is 9:10 am. A race official will come by to let you know when the last runner has passed.
QUESTIONS? Call or text Steph at 704-237-0301