Dyslexia Dash 2026

The International Dyslexia Association Georgia (IDA-GA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of dyslexia and promoting effective teaching approaches and intervention strategies for struggling readers and writers. We serve as a resource and support system for individuals with dyslexia, as well as the families, educators, and communities that support them.

Join us on October 17 for the 2026 Dyslexia Dash, a family-friendly Peachtree Qualifier 5K and Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run. The event is perfect for runners, walkers, families, and teams of all ages. Race, celebrate, and enjoy a lively festival with activities for all ages, including a Kids’ Zone, photo opportunities, sponsor booths, and more.

Can’t attend in person? Participate in the Virtual 5K from anywhere between October 1–17.

Proceeds support IDA-GA’s outreach initiatives, community grants, and teacher training scholarships.

Choose the Option that is Right for You 

• In-Person 5K (Chip-timed AJC Peachtree Qualifier)
• In-Person 1-Mile Fun Run (for 10 and under)
• Virtual 5K

Join or Create a Team (In Person or Virtual)

Everything is more fun together! Create a team or join one during registration, and spread the word to friends, family, classmates, or coworkers. Teams can participate from anywhere—on-site or virtually!

In-Person Details

🏃‍♂️ Peachtree Qualifier: The chip-timed 5K race is perfect for improving your time! View the 5K Peachtree Qualifier course for 2026.

👕 Race Shirts & Bags: All participants will receive a race T-shirt and bag on Race Day after completing the race.

🏅 Awards for Top Finishers: Medals will be awarded to top finishers Overall Male & Female; Overall Masters Male & Female; and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Male and Female in each age group.

🎟️ 50/50 Raffle: The Dyslexia Dash is having a 50/50 draw to give you a chance to win $!  Tickets can be purchased online up to Friday, October 16. The total amount raised will be split 50/50 with the winner. The draw for the winner will occur after the race on Dyslexia Dash day. The winner will receive a check in the mail after the race for their share of the winnings.

🍎 Teacher Appreciation Raffle: All teachers who attend the in-person Dash can put their name in the bucket for a chance to win one of many prizes! Please let us know if you have a raffle item you would like to donate. THANK YOU for helping us bring extra smiles and excitement on Dash Day!

📢 Shout-outs: Keep an eye out for our Dyslexia Dash Scouts! Scouts will capture joy-filled moments and hand out treasured shout-out tokens throughout the morning. Participants might just be spotted for their spirit, spark, or sense of style! If your picture is taken, you will be included in our 2026 Race Day recap!

🎉 Fun for All Ages: Enjoy a photo booth, Kids' Zone games & crafts, face painting, Kona Ice, Tom's Travelin' Coffee, Teen Board Donut Sales, and sponsor booths with goodies, and information tables from IDA-GA and other non-profit peer organizations. 

✨ Dyslexia Talent & Creativity Showcase: Showcasing the wide variety of talents and interests of dyslexic authors, artists, and creators! Interested in sharing your work and/or your journey? Learn about the ways you can participate: https://ga.dyslexiaida.org/inspire-dyslexia/ 

Fundraising, Donations, & Sponsorship
Support the Dyslexia Dash by creating a fundraiser, donating, or becoming a sponsor!

💙 Fundraisers: As a special thank you, any Fundraiser raising $100 or more by September 25 will have their fundraiser's name featured on the official Dyslexia Dash t-shirt. Additionally, individual donors who contribute $100 or more can have their name or the name of someone they wish to honor printed on the t-shirt.

🤝 Sponsors: Gain visibility and show your support for the dyslexia community. Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels.

September 25, 2026, is the deadline to ensure the donor/sponsor name or logo is included on the t-shirt. 

Platinum sponsors should register by September 1, 2026, to ensure their logo is printed on the race bags.

📌 Learn More About Sponsorship: Our 2026 Sponsor Packet will be available in April 2026. To give you an idea of the benefits and pricing, please view the 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities.

Are you joining a Group or a Sponsor Team?  Be sure to select your team first!  If you're creating a team, you can do that during regular registration. 

This year in-person participants of the Dyslexia Dash can beat the crowds and pick up their Race Bibs before Saturday morning.  Race Bibs can be picked up at Road Runner Sports at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (Merchant Walk Mall), Marietta, Georgia.

We will be handing out racing Bibs from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, October 16.

If you are a Road Runner VIP member you will receive DOUBLE reward on purchases on that day.

Become a VIP member and receive $20 off any purchase of $50 or more on that day. 

The 2026 Dyslexia Dash In-Person race will take place at Perimeter Mall on October 17, 2025.  There will be two races. A Timed 5km race/walk event which is a Peachtree Qualifying race and a 1 mile Kids Fun Run for those athletes 10 years of age or younger.

Both Races will start at the parking lot behind the west entrance to the Von Maur Department Store.  You should plan to arrive 30 minutes early to get your race bib. If you wish to register for a race on race day or were instructed to pick up your bib from the solutions table, you should plan to arrive 45 minutes early.

The 5K Route

The race will start near the entrance located SOUTH of Pole 65 in Nordstrom's parking lot.
The pin coordinates are 33.923753, -84.344552. 

From the starting line, head north around the parking lot, and just keep to the right as you go.

Pass the Chick-fil-A, you'll turn left onto Hammond Drive. 

Make a right onto Peachtree Dunwoody Road. 

Take another right turn onto Central Park Drive.

Make a right onto Perimeter Center West.

Finally, take one more right back into the mall entrance and along the parking lot road to return to the start/finish line. 

All Participants get a free Dyslexia Dash T-Shirt. In-person, participants must pick up their shirt after the race. For Virtual participants we will begin to mail their t-shirts beginning the week of October 19. Depending if we have to re-order some t-shirts in certain sizes it could take up to two weeks to receive your t-shirt.

Sponsors at certain levels get extra free T-shirts as part of their sponsorship.

If you would like to buy extra Dyslexia Dash T-shirts, you can go to the Store Button on the menu and place an order.  Purchased t-shirts can be picked up on the day of the race at the solutions table; otherwise, they will be mailed to you the week of October 20.

Wear your support!  100% Cotton Twill 6 panel, unstructured with metal hook and leather strap. Classic mid-to-low cap profile. One size fits all.  "Until Everyone Can Read" on front of cap, IDA logo on left side. Limited Quantities. Go to the Store Button on the menu bar and look for the hats. Please read carefully the pick up / delivery note in the Store Description.

Dyslexia Dash 50/50 Raffle — $5.00 ea.
Dyslexia Dash Raffle
Dyslexia Dash is having a 50/50 draw to give you a chance to win money!  Tickets can be purchased online up to midnight October 15. The total amount raised will be split 50/50 with the winner. Go to the Store Button and look for 50/50 draw tickets.

The winner of the 50/50 draw will be announced on the day of the race. You do not have to be present to win!

The winner will receive a check in the mail after the race for their share of the winnings

Without the support of our participants, sponsors, and volunteers, these exciting events would not be possible. Together we can demystify reading difficulties, spread knowledge, and encourage change.  The funds raised from the Dyslexia Dash are set aside to provide low-cost teacher trainings, seminars, support groups, and referral and advocacy services.  The International Dyslexia Association Georgia is part of the International Dyslexia Association, which with over 13,000 members, is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States serving individuals with dyslexia, their families, and professionals in the field. The International Dyslexia Association Georgia is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization formed to increase public awareness of dyslexia.  We are a resource and support system for parents, individuals with dyslexia and educators.  For more information see our website at ga.dyslexiaida.org

For information about Sponsorship, please click here   

DO I GET A T-SHIRT?
Yes, of course! Sign up early to get our awesome shirt!

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE TO PARTICIPATE?
You must be at least 6 years old. And please use good judgment. Please line up in the back of the start line. No strollers are allowed in the race for safety reasons.

WHAT IF I AM NOT IN ATLANTA ON OCTOBER 18?
You can run our Virtual Race and post your results.  We will mail you your race t-shirt during the week following the in-person race.

ANY ‘BLING’ AWARDED AT THE RACE?
There are medals for the first three finishers by category of gender/age for participants of the 5K in-person race only. 

WHAT IF 5K IS JUST TOO LONG FOR MY CHILD?
We have a kids run option that is a 1-mile long and runs just before the 5K event for children up to the age of 10.

CAN I RUN WITH MY DOG?
No. We love our Dogs, too, but for safety reasons, we ask that you keep your four-legged friend off the race course.

I DON’T REALLY “RUN”– CAN I WALK THE COURSE?
Yes, you can walk the course, but please position yourself at the back of the start line.

WHAT IF ME OR MY CHILD STILL HAVE EXCESS ENERGY TO BURN OFF AFTER THE RACE?
There are activities including a kids fun zone at the finish line of the race.

CAN I TRANSFER MY REGISTRATION TO SOMEONE ELSE?
No, for all sorts of safety and legal reasons. This is a standard race running industry policy.

WHEN IS PACKET PICKUP?
Friday, October 17 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Road Runner Sports, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta pick up race bibs. 
Saturday, October 18 from 6:45 to 8:15 pick up race bibs. From 8:30 to 9:30 pick up t-shirts. 

CAN MY FRIEND PICK UP MY PACKET?
Yes.

WHAT IF I FORGET MY T-SHIRT OR CAN’T MAKE THE RACE, WILL YOU MAIL IT TO ME?

Unfortunately, no.  We only mail t-shirts to virtual runners who pay an extra charge to cover the cost of mailing.

WHERE CAN I SEE RESULTS?
In-Person Race Results will be posted as soon as you have finished the race.  A QR code will be available at the end of the race to take you to the website. 

CAN I USE AN IPOD OR SIMILAR HEADSET?
Yes, but please be careful. Make sure that you can hear all course and safety instructions from volunteers and police officers.

WHAT IF IT RAINS THE DAY OF THE RACE?
We will run rain or shine, so put on your trench coat until the start of the race.