Austin, TX
Cupid’s Chase 5K sets participation record
AUSTIN, Texas – The numbers are in, and the 2026 Cupid’s Chase 5K held on Valentine’s Day set a participation record both locally and nationally.
Start of the Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler served as the Honorary Chair of the Cupid’s Chase 5K.
CBS Austin’s Chikage Windler served as the Honorary Chair for the Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
After helping to start the race, she also ran it.
CBS Austin’s Chikage Windler with Community Options Executive Director Rebecca Tisthammer at the Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
The 3.1-mile race benefits Community Options, Inc., a nonprofit that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Austin’s Community Options Executive Director Rebecca Tisthammer says the race proceeds are used to host celebrations for individuals, like parties to bring together host homes, group homes, and community support agencies. They celebrate holidays, have social outings, and take field trips.
CBS Austin’s Chikage Windler with Asa, one of the individuals served by Community Options. Asa helped give out medals and awards to Cupid’s Chase 5K finishers. (photo: Chikage Windler)
Tisthammer says, “It’s important for individuals with disabilities to not be isolated in their sub-communities, but to be able to find a place in their larger society and to feel needed, wanted, and capable.” Several people being supported by Community Options helped distribute medals at the race. One individual named Asa greeted runners at the finish line and helped with the awards ceremony.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Tisthammer explained that “for him, being a part of the bigger community was such a valuable experience. All day, he had a purpose, and he had a chance to feel useful and included.” She adds, “He and the other individuals who got to help that day left with a deeper sense of belonging and connection. That’s what the race was really about: bringing that need into awareness.”
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
This year’s Austin race was held on Valentine’s Day, with 365 runners and walkers braving the damp weather at Camp Mabry.
The start of the race was wet enough that some participants used umbrellas to stay dry. Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
The route led runners and walkers past several historic military aircraft on permanent display at Camp Mabry.
The race route gave participants the chance to run beside the historic military aircraft lining the track at Camp Mabry.{ } (photo: Chikage Windler)
It was a record field locally and nationwide, with over 17-thousand participants in Cupid’s Chase races across the country.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Next year’s race is set for February 13th, 2027. The Austin race will once again be held at Camp Mabry.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Learn how to volunteer or support Community Options, Inc.: https://www.comop.org/
Find out more about Cupid’s Chase: https://www.comop.org/cupidschase/
Cupids Chase 5K (video: Chikage Windler)