On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the community came together in Iowa City for the latest edition of our Sensory Run & Walk Fundraiser, a 5K run or 1-mile walk designed to be welcoming for all abilities and sensory preferences. This year’s event was more vibrant, inclusive, and community-oriented than ever before.
Every year, we aim to make this Sensory Run more than your typical 5K, It’s a celebration of inclusivity, sensory accommodation, and the people we serve in mind. With many of the people receiving services at Systems Unlimited requiring some form of sensory input, our 1-Mile route is interspersed with sensory stations meant to engage different senses and make the experience enjoyable.
In addition to a unique route, all participants received an event T-shirt, a 5K finisher medal or 1-Mile finisher pin, and a fun fidget toy was included in all people’s registration packs.
This year, the Sensory Run & Walk came back with several upgrades and creative ideas. Some new, others expanded from previous years, to make the experience richer, more inclusive, and fun.
- Upgraded Flower Tunnel & Ribbon Tunnel – The “Ribbon Run-Through” was back and bigger than ever, sweeping participants through a textured, colorful tunnel of ribbons. Meanwhile, the “Flower Station” (flower tunnel) was also improved, offering a gentle, sensory-rich visual display along the route.
- Scented Bubbles & Scent Stations – As participants walked or ran, they encountered bubbles with cotton-candy scent and other scent stations, creating pleasant aromas to delight the senses.
- Bubble Wrap & Art Displays – Along the path, optional bubble-wrap popping stations offered a tactile, playful break; art created by the people served by Systems Unlimited decorated parts of the route, celebrating creativity and inclusion.
- Thunder Tunnel – New this year, we included an inflatable tunnel lined with lights and the sounds of thunder.
Our Sensory Run didn’t just stop at the route because our Post Party took community and inclusion up another notch.
- Post-Party with Refreshments from Deja Brew – Every participant was treated to a free coffee or hot beverage from the Deja Brew cart at the post-party. This was a welcome, warm (literally!) addition to the event.
- Post-Run Restorative Yoga Class – For the first time, a restorative yoga class was offered after the run. A gentle, body-and-mind-centered way to cool down, relax, and connect.
- Post-Party Raffle – To wrap things up with some excitement and community engagement, a raffle was introduced during the post-party. This created extra incentive and fun for participants, volunteers, and supporters alike. This year’s feature raffle item was a signed Green Bay Packers Football.
Events like the Sensory Run highlight a powerful truth: fitness, community, and fun should be accessible to everyone. By designing the event around sensory experiences and adding thoughtful touches like inclusive swag, art, scent/tactile stations, and accessible options, Systems Unlimited didn’t just throw a race; they created a space where people of all abilities could feel included, supported, and celebrated.
The proceeds help fund ongoing services that support individuals with disabilities or mental-health needs, from home supports to community inclusion services.
The 2025 Sensory Run & Walk by Systems Unlimited succeeded not only in raising funds and awareness but in building community.
If you attended this year, thank you for helping to make it a special event. It is truly wonderful to see our community come together and celebrate. This event’s success would not be possible without you. And if you missed it, keep an eye on Systems Unlimited’s page for the next one. It will be an event you won’t want to miss.
It’s more than a run. It’s an invitation to belong.
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