The U&I Dash

Event Features 5k Run/One-Mile Walk & Festival With Live Music, Art to Redefine Disabilities

The 30th Annual U&I Dash will be held Saturday, March 23rd at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas featuring a 5K & 1 mile benefiting U&I’s Underdogs — those with disabilities who have been underestimated and undervalued for far too long.

Early registration is available online at thedash24.com. Race day registration and packet pickup begins at 7:00 am and the race will start promptly at 8:30 am. The 5K fee is $35 for adults 18 & over. The one-mile fee is $25 for adults 18 & over. The fee for 5k or 1 mile is $15 for children 17 & younger. Included in the fee is a custom competition medal, a dry fit-style running shirt, race bib, and for participants 21 years and older, a Mi Cocina Mango Margarita at the finish line. DJ D-Train will be setting the mood to keep the celebration going at the dog-friendly race.

“We’re redefining disabilities,” said Hugh Breland, CEO of U&I, a 72-year-old nonprofit that empowers individuals with disabilities. “Many of the clients we serve have been designated as unemployable and have been told they can’t work. We know they are capable of so much more. Our organization provides employment, housing, transportation and vocational training for veterans, adults and youth with disabilities. This race will help fund programs to assist the most vulnerable across DFW and beyond.”

The 5K is chip-timed, and age group awards will be presented during the post-race ceremony. Age group categories include: Overall Male and Female; Male Masters; Female Masters; as well as Male & Female First to Third Place in the following age categories: 9 & under; 10 – 19; 20 – 29; 30 – 39; 40 – 49; 50 – 59; 60 – 69; and 70+.

The course will wind through the Dallas Arts District and Uptown neighborhoods. The post-race ceremony and celebration includes a DJ, face painting, balloon artists, a Mi Cocina food truck, the McDonald’s Midway interactive playground, the Redefining Disabilities art exhibit, and the U&I Underdog Wall presented by Michaels for participants to sign their name.

The festivities continue later in the day with the U&I Dash Festival from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Klyde Warren Park. There will be fun activities for the whole family with DJ Sober mixing live alongside a full line-up of amazing musicians, the McDonald’s Midway featuring games, face painting and interactive activities; culinary delights and spirits by Mi Cocina; live art demonstrations by local artists and items for sale by Dallas-makers and brands in the Shop Local Lane.

The lineup of performing artists include DJ Sober, Dorrough, Tay Money, Lil Earl, Ash Tag, Carrissa Cruz, Muriel, EJ Galvez, DJ Ari, and Mayta.

Explore the “Redefining Disabilities Experience” immersive art show and experience the Michaels Creativity Zone featuring the Rise Up Live Art Show and Inspiration Stations. Admission to the family-friendly festival is free and open to the public. Donations are suggested to help U&I fulfill its mission of supporting members of our community with disabilities.

Visual artists featured at the event are Magdiel Lopez, Temi Coker, Carlos Donjuan, Kyle Steed, Dora Zeneth Reynosa, Mariel Guzman, Agustin Chavez aka Dummy Fresh, Hatziel, and Drigo. Each artist is donating their work to be auctioned off to the public with proceeds going to U&I.

Event sponsors include NAI Robert Lynn, Mi Cocina, Michaels, Kumar/McDonald’s, Klyde Warren Park, Veritex Community Bank, Park Place Dealerships, SPCA of Texas, The Box Company, Artwork 10, Interior Runway, and Pink Porch Productions.

In 1951, Jean Walker Bentley overcame cultural barriers and spoke out for disabled children and their families. She started the Children’s Development Center to meet the scholastic and socialization needs of children with special needs. In 1981, the federal government mandated that public schools had the responsibility to educate children with disabilities. The organization evolved to help veterans find employment and provide vocational training for special education students preparing to transition out of high school.

Today, as one of the largest workforce development centers in North Texas, U&I continues to meet the needs of disabled individuals by providing vocational training, job readiness training, paid work opportunities and community placement to more than 1000 youth and adults with severe intellectual, physical and/or mental health disabilities. More information about U&I is available at uandispreadthelight.com.