July 10 - 17, 2021

The Dash for Donation is going virtual – again! The eight-day event will run from Saturday, July 10 to Saturday, July 17.

New to 2021 will be an in person packet pick up opportunity for participants and teams to pick up their race items, including a race t-shirt!

Registration is just $8.75 – That’s 8 to represent the number of lives potentially saved by one organ donor and 75 for the number of people one person can heal through tissue donation. This fee includes a printable race bib, an online finisher certificate and a race t-shirt (note, additional shipping fees may apply).

Sign up as an individual or gather a team and help us spread the message of donation in your own creative way – run, walk, hike or just post on social media!

The Dash for Donation is Lifeline of Ohio’s largest fundraiser to support our programming, including education and bereavement and donor family services.

We hope you’ll wear your best blue and green and share photos and videos of your activities throughout the week using #Dash2021!

Fun for the whole family

Kids and Mascots Dash A short, age-appropriate run to the finish line for youngsters. Kids have an exciting opportunity to meet local mascots, chase them during a mini-Dash, and pose for pictures afterward! If your organization is interested in having your Mascot featured, please reach out to dash@lifelineofohio.org.
5k Run/Walk Begins and ends at 303 W Broad St. and travels through Columbus.
Family Fun Walk This one-mile walk will begin at 303 W Broad St. and travels through the streets of downtown Columbus.

Volunteer

Join us for the Dash as a volunteer! We have volunteer needs from set-up to tear-down!  Volunteering at the Dash is a great way to meet people and earn volunteer hours.

Email Molly Craig at mcraig@lifelineofohio.org to sign up to volunteer!

Pre-race registration and packet pick-up

Stay tuned for information regarding the 2021 Dash for Donation!

Frequently asked questions

Parking, Food and Water and Hotels Questions

Parking: Parking is available in the COSI lot, or you may also park in any of the surrounding designated parking areas (see all locations here). Please plan to arrive early.

NOTE: The Columbus Food Truck Festival will take place starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (7/13). Please note that parking in the Belle St. garage (under COSI) will only be accessible from Broad Street. A portion of Town St. will be closed due to the festival.

Is there free parking?
Unfortunately, no, but there is convenient parking at COSI and surrounding lots for a fee of $10. For more information, please visit: sciotomile.com/parking.

Are there restrooms/water stations on the route?
There will only be port-a-johns located near the race start/finish. There will be two water stations on the route to keep you hydrated. There will be a limited supply of water available at the start line, so if you need to have water with you at all times, please plan to bring some with you. We will have plenty at the finish line, too!

What type of food do you offer after the race?
Join us on the English Plaza for post-race snacks, including Cheryl’s Cookies, fresh fruit, and granola bars. Be sure to check out our expo at the finish for other food and giveaways!

Pre-Race Registration

When and where do I pick up my race packet?
Lifeline of Ohio office: 770 Kinnear Rd. Columbus, OH 43212.

Stay tuned for the packet pick up schedule! 

How long will the online registration be available?
Online registration will be open until 7 p.m. the day before the race.

Can I register and pick up my packet at the same time?
Yes! Stop by Lifeline of Ohio at 770 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, OH 43212 during any of the packet pick up times.

What if I can’t pick up my packet before race day?
You may ask someone else to pick up for you. If you do, please give them your confirmation so that we have accurate information.

Or, you will be able to pick up your packet onsite at the Genoa Park 303 W. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215 between 6:30-8:00 a.m. If other accommodations need to be made, please email us at dash@lifelineofohio.org. Please note, t-shirts will not be available on race morning.

Can I register on the day of the race?
Yes! The registration fee goes up after July 1, and you may not receive a shirt, but you will still be given a race bib with chipped timing (5K participants only) as long as you are registered by 8 a.m. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m.

General Race Questions

Can I bring my child in a stroller?
Yes! We would ask that you are careful and considerate around other walkers and runners. If they are six and under and also participating in the Kids and Mascot Dash at 8 a.m., they need to be registered in order to receive a medal. If they are not walking or running in either event, they do not need to be registered. For registered participants, the smallest t-shirt available is a youth x-small.

Can I get a shirt if I’m not participating in the race?
Unfortunately we are only able to provide a race t-shirt to registered participants. However, limited quantities are available to participants. Quantities and sizes are available on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to get to Lifeline of Ohio at 770 Kinnear Rd. Columbus, OH 43212 early to get a shirt!

Am I allowed to bring my dog?
Sorry, animals are not allowed on the route.

I’m not sure if I can run or walk a 5K. What if I can’t finish?
For those that are unable to walk or run the 5K, we also offer a Family Fun Walk which is an approximate 1 mile loop. For medical emergencies along the route, our race team, police, and medics will be there to support you—even if it means bringing you back to the finish line.

Will my time be recorded during the 5K?
All registered 5K participants will receive a race number with chip timing. Timing information will be available on the Dash for Donation website within 24 hours following the race.

What if it’s raining?
The event will take place rain or shine!

Family Fun Walk and Mascot Dash

If I’m participating in the 5K, can I see my child participate in the Kids and Mascot Dash?
Yes. The Kids and Mascot Dash begins at 8:00 a.m. The 5K begins at 8:15 a.m. in the same area.

How long is the Mascot Dash?
The Mascot Dash is approximately 100 meters.

Who can participate in the Kids and Mascot Dash?
The Mascot Dash consists of local mascots from the community and children six and under.

How long is the Family Fun Walk?
The Family Fun Walk is approximately 1 mile long.

Team or Team Challenge Questions

If I have family members who want to do the Family Fun Walk or Kids and Mascot Dash, can they still be on my team?
Yes, but there is no discounted rate. The individual will need to select the appropriate event type (Family Fun Walk or Kids and Mascot Dash) and then select the team name they would like to be on.

I registered on a team. How do I get my packet?
If you registered on a team, your Team Captain may choose to pick it up and distribute to you. Your Team Captain will communicate this to you. If you register and join a team after the registration deadline, you will be responsible for picking up your packet individually.

Where and when are team pictures being taken?
We will be sending out the final locations and times prior to race day to each Team Captain.

How do I create a team during registration?

  1. Navigate to the Race Page of the race
  2. Click Sign Up to begin the registration process
  3. Enter in all participant information and click Continue
  4. First, you need to create a Fundraiser
  5. Click Become Fundraiser
  6. Enter in a name for your Fundraiser
  7. Enter in a goal for your new Fundraiser
  8. Add a message to describe your Fundraiser
  9. Now you will create the Fundraising Team
  10. Enter in a name for your Fundraising Team
  11. Enter in a goal for your new Fundraising Team
  12. Add a message to describe your Fundraising Team
  13. Now select any donation levels that you would like to donate towards your Fundraiser
  14. Select who this donation will be on behalf of
  15. Click Continue
  16. Complete your registration

How do I join an existing fundraising team?
To join an existing fundraising team, simply select the team you would like to join from the “Fundraising Team” drop-down menu during the third step of your registration process.

How do I create a fundraising team URL?
The option to create a custom “Fundraising Team Page URL” can be found after the fundraising team is created. Simply go to your “Profile”, click “My Fundraisers”, and then select “Edit Fundraiser” on the fundraising team. Here you can create a custom “Fundraising Team Page URL”, which allows for easier sharing of your fundraising team page amongst friends and family. Simply enter in text that is unique to your fundraising team after “https://runsignup.com/”, and remember that spaces are not permitted in a URL. The URL must contain only alphanumeric characters, underscores (_), or dashes (-).

How do I create a fundraising team image?
The option to upload a “Fundraising Team Image” can be found after the fundraising team is created. Simply go to your “Profile”, click “My Fundraisers”, and then select “Edit Fundraiser” on the fundraising team. Here you can upload a “Fundraising Team Image” by clicking on “Choose File” and selecting one from your computer.

Celebration Wall Questions

How do I submit my story for the Celebration Wall?
There are several ways for you to submit your completed story for the Celebration Wall. You may email your completed story to us at dash@lifelineofohio.org, mail your completed personal story and a photograph to Juli Kunselman at 770 Kinnear Rd. Columbus, OH 43212, or bring it to the office when you pick up your race packet(s).

Where will my personal story be hung up?
Your personal story will be located at the race/start finish line on the English Plaza at 303 W. Broad Street.

How big can my personal story be?
Due to space limitations, we ask that each story be limited to 400 words and no larger than 12×12 (scrapbook size paper), including pictures.

Fundraising and Contribution Questions

What will my contribution/fundraised money be going towards?
All funds raised for the Dash for Donation will benefit Lifeline of Ohio’s Bereavement Services and Donor Family aftercare program. To learn more or to make a contribution, please visit dashfordonation.com/contribute.

Am I required to make a contribution/fundraise?
Contributions are not required, but we encourage you and/or your Dash for Donation team to set a fundraising goal or to make a contribution.

How do I make a contribution?
Go to dashfordonation.com/contribute and click “Click Here to Contribute Now”

There you will be directed to either select a team’s fundraiser to contribute towards or you may make a contribution on your own. If you wish to make a contribution through the mail (please do not send us cash), send checks made out to:

Lifeline of Ohio
Attn: Dash for Donation
770 Kinnear Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212

Please indicate if your contribution is in honor/memory of an individual, a race participant, or race team.

Will my contribution be acknowledged for tax purposes?
Yes, you will receive an acknowledgment for your contribution following the Dash for Donation.