- AIDS Walk Street Challenge obstacle course
AIDS Walk organizers are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to build excitement and increase participation and fundraising for the event. This year’s addition is AIDS Walk’s first-ever Street Challenge, a dynamic six-obstacle course (with two workout challenges as well) through Marston Point in Balboa Park.
“This new street challenge adds a high-energy element to this treasured community event,” said Ian Johnson, coordinator for AIDS Walk, Run & Street Challenge San Diego. “The funds raised from AIDS Walk are vitally important to our local HIV/AIDS service agencies, so we continue to develop creative opportunities for people to participate.”
The obstacles were especially created for this event, and will test each participant’s agility, endurance, strength and quick thinking through challenges like the “Attack of the Gladiators,” “Zombie Wall Escape” and “Life’s a Beach.” Participants are also encouraged to participate in costume, as there is a “Best Dressed” trophy up for grabs.
In addition to this new activity on the day of the event, AIDS Walk has developed a social media campaign designed to increase participation in the event. The “#AWSD is …” campaign allows supporters to share a personal photo and text message that illustrates what this community-wide event means to them and/or the 12,500 people living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego.
- San Diegan Jay Conner, part of the Survivors Exhibit
By sharing these heartfelt digital messages, organizers hope to inspire even more people to register for AIDS Walk, Run & Street Challenge, which will take place Sunday, Sept. 29.
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah McLaughlan has already contributed to the campaign with her own message – “#AWSD is Caring.” McLaughlan has long been active in the fight against HIV/AIDS, performing at numerous events for amFAR, Lifebeat/Music Fights AIDS, UNICEF’s Unite Against AIDS and more. She contributed her song “Hold On” to No Alternative, an AIDS benefit album.
Other local notables who have added their “heart” to this effort include District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and City Councilmember Lorie Zapf.
Another first this year is the Survivors Exhibit, a photo series by Jae L. Hansen that features men and women who are long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS, all diagnosed prior to 1997.
- San Diegan Keith McGill, part of the Survivors Exhibit
“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, those who continue to live with courage,” Hansen said.
“I also present this project as a reminder that, while we have made great progress, the battle is not yet over,” Hansen continued. “Despite the medical advancements of the past decade, the effects of HIV remain with us. Many survivors face side-effects from medications and other health issues complicated by HIV. Many others do not have access to adequate health care. Countless others are still dying of AIDS here in the U.S. and around the world.”
For more information on the Survivors Exhibit, please visit www.survivorsexhibit.com.
AIDS Walk, Run & Street Challenge San Diego is a program of The San Diego LGBT Community Center. More information, and registration, is available online at www.AIDSWalkSD.org
