Dyslexia Dash 2026 Race

The International Dyslexia Association GA aims to improve the lives of students with dyslexia and other language-learning differences by offering teacher training, parent support, and student empowerment. The Dyslexia Dash supports IDA-GA's outreach initiatives and teacher training scholarships. 

Thank you for your support!

Register to Run or Walk:
In-Person 5K
In-Person 1-Mile Fun Run (for 10 and under)
Virtual 5K

In-Person:
Saturday, October 17, 2026

1-Mile 7:45 am, followed by 5K 8:15 am
The Start/Finish is located on Perimeter Center Parkway NE on the back side of Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. The Festival will be set up near the Start/Finish in Nordstrom's back parking lot, next to Von Maur.

Plan to park in Von Maur's lot. Look for parking poles with numbers 71 and 72. You may also park outside the festival area in front of Nordstrom. 

To avoid lines, pick up your race bib on Friday, October 16, at Road Runner Sports in East Marietta. (Time TBA)

You may also pick up your bib on the morning of the event, beginning at 6:45 am. 

T-Shirt Pickup Requirement

For those attending the in-person race, you must be present to pick up your t-shirt or have someone pick it up for you.

Virtual 5K Option:

Participate anytime, anywhere! Upload your best time from October 1 through October 17 (by 11:59 pm EST).

• For those choosing the virtual race, participants will run their own course and can post their times. As soon as you register, you can run the race.

• The Dyslexia Dash website will be open to receiving time submissions from October 1 through 11:59 p.m. ET on October 17, 2026.

• Participants will have the option to post their times via the Dyslexia Dash website, using text or email.

• Race t-shirts and race bags for Virtual Race Participants will be mailed the week of October 19.

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. There will also be an opportunity to sign-up to race that day if you want to bring along a friend.

2026 Course Map Coming Soon!

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.