Thousands rally together in Astana for Run for Autism event
Rewritten Article:
Last Saturday, the bustling city of Astana hosted the third annual Run for Autism charity event, breaking all prior participation records with a whopping 3,500 folks joining in! This amazing gathering raised an impressive 22 million tenge, which will be used to establish inclusive classrooms catering to children with autism and other mental disabilities, according to news reports (Liter.kz).
As always, the "Bolashaq" Foundation orchestrated the event with the support of its helpful partners. The organizers declared, "Run for Autism goes beyond being just a sporting event. It's about drawing attention to those dealing with autism, depression, anxiety, and various mental health concerns. In 2025, we dedicated the run to the broad topic of mental health."
Images provided by the organizers
Participants had the chance to pick among four exciting distances: from 1km up to 10km. The registration fees ranged between 6,990 to 9,990 tenge. The run drew participants from various walks of life – professional athletes, para-athletes, deaf athletes, families, specialists, and concerned individuals alike. Over 120 children with developmental disabilities were part of the online run, as well, joining folks not just from Kazakhstan, but also from London, Moscow, and Istanbul!
Support for the run came personally from the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev, who emphasized its significance. He pointed out that the President places great importance on inclusivity. He explained, "A law is being drafted to assist children in need of special support, and we are all working to make it truly impactful."
Images provided by the organizers
A major highlight of the program was "Fun Starts" for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Approximately 200 children aged 5 to 14 participated in a fun relay and received enjoyable gifts.
Dinaara Gaplan, the Chairman of the "Bolashaq" Foundation's Supervisory Council, highlighted the event's importance: "Today, we run for inclusivity, acceptance, and a world free of stereotypes. For everyone struggling with anxiety and depression. It's essential to learn how to ask for help when needed."
Images provided by the organizers
Many participants ran with their families. Eldos Imambaev embarked on a 2.5km run alongside his 16-year-old son Beknazyr, who lives with autism. Imambaev shared, "For our children, each of these events is a step towards self-acceptance and embracing their uniqueness. It's not simply a race – it's an opportunity to feel part of a loving, inclusive world."
Finishers were warmly greeted with special medals and diplomas, with winners rewarded prizes such as fitness memberships and trips to Dubai. Every race participant received a kit containing a t-shirt, shopping bag, energy bar, and even a healthy ciabatta.
This year, employees of foreign embassies, such as Japan, the UK, Spain, Turkey, and more, joined the run. Hiroaki Funata from the Japanese embassy took part to support his son.
"My son was born with Down syndrome. I'm here to support all special children. It's personal for me," he said.
The race received backing from numerous companies and organizations, making the event lively, warm-hearted, and unforgettable for all!
According to official figures, over 15,000 children with autism are officially registered in Kazakhstan. The real figure might be twice as high. Mental health issues affect nearly 300,000 people in the country, with one in seven adolescents globally dealing with mental health concerns.
Since 2015, the Bolashak Foundation has created 71 inclusive support classrooms in 24 cities across Kazakhstan. Over 10,000 families have received assistance, with more than 800 children transitioning from home-based learning to regular schools. Professional training programs have also been launched for teenagers with special needs.
Images provided by organizers
- The third annual Run for Autism, held in Astana, gathered a record-breaking 3,500 participants, emphasizing the growing interest in mental health and inclusivity.
- The event was expertly organized by the "Bolashaq" Foundation, in collaboration with its partners, aiming to go beyond sports and shed light on issues such as autism, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
- Participants had the option to run in four different distances, from 1km to 10km, two of which were available as online races for children with developmental disabilities.
- The Run for Autism attracted diverse individuals, including professional athletes, specialists, concerned citizens, and even international participants from cities like London, Moscow, and Istanbul.
- Dinaara Gaplan, the Chairman of the "Bolashaq" Foundation's Supervisory Council, encouraged the importance of the event: "Today, we run for inclusivity, acceptance, and a world free of stereotypes. For everyone struggling with anxiety and depression. It's essential to learn how to ask for help when needed."
- In line with the President's emphasis on inclusivity, a law is being drafted to assist children in need of special support, according to Maulen Ashimbayev, the Chairman of the Senate.
