17th Annual Race for Hope Welcomes 1,500+ Participants in a Record-Breaking Year
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center community came together on a perfect, sunny 70º day for the 17th Annual Race for Hope at a brand new location, Lee’s Family Forum!
This year marked a milestone in more ways than one. With 1,500+ participants and 75% first-time racers, Race for Hope 2026 was our largest and most welcoming event to date. The energy, excitement, and sense of connection were felt from the starting line all the way through the resource fair.
A New Location, A New Experience
Moving to Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson allowed us to expand the Race for Hope experience like never before. Families, teams, and supporters had more space to connect, celebrate, and access resources which created a truly inclusive environment for our autism and neurodivergent community. Bringing the race to Henderson was also a testament to our growth and expansion with our new center opening recently nearby.
New Activations That Elevated the Day
This year introduced exciting new elements that made Race for Hope even more impactful:
Etho Recovery Zone offered guided cold plunges, saunas, and mobility experiences, giving participants a chance to reset and recharge post-race
Henderson Police Department joined the event with an interactive community presence, including vehicles, K9 units, and opportunities for connection
An expanded resource fair featuring 45+ vendors — our largest yet — connecting families to critical services, programs, and support
These additions helped transform Race for Hope into more than a run. It became a full community experience!
Recognizing Our Community Champions
We are proud to celebrate the individuals and teams who went above and beyond this year:
Largest Team: Gaudin Motor Company (350+ members)
Top Team Fundraiser: Krew’s Crew – $12,300
Top Individual Fundraiser: Teddy Walther – $9,363
Your dedication fuels our mission and directly supports the families we serve.
Thank You to Our Sponsors & Community Partners
Race for Hope would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and partners. Thank you to our major sponsors, including:
And to our event day partners who brought the experience to life:
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
LV Cause Players
Lucky from the Henderson Silver Knights
We are also deeply grateful to our media partners for helping us amplify this event across the Las Vegas community:
Thank You to Our Resource Fair Vendors
At the heart of Race for Hope is connection. This year, we were proud to host a record number of resource fair vendors, each playing a vital role in supporting families and individuals navigating autism and neurodevelopmental differences.
A special thank you to our Premium Resource Fair Vendors, including:
And to the many additional vendors who made this year’s resource fair so impactful — thank you for showing up for our community.
A Message from Leadership
Brian Hager, President & CEO of Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center
“We’ve always said Race for Hope is about more than a single day, and this year proved that in a powerful way,” said Brian Hager, President & CEO of Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center. “To see so many new faces alongside our longtime supporters, all coming together in a new space with expanded resources and experiences, is a reflection of how much our community is growing. Every step taken and every dollar raised helps ensure families have access to the care, support, and connection they deserve.”
Looking Ahead
From record-breaking attendance to meaningful new experiences, Race for Hope 2026 showed what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose.
Every step taken supports critical clinical care, therapy, and programming for children, young adults, and families across Southern Nevada.
Thank you to everyone who walked, ran, fundraised, volunteered, sponsored, and showed up. We can’t wait to do it again next year.