Breakthrough T1D Walk in Cleveland, OH!

• 7:30 am Event opens for walk participants.
• 8:25 am Staging begins for our T1D Champions Parade.
• 8:40 am T1D Champion Parade
• 8:50 am Opening Ceremony Begins
• 9:00 am Official Walk Start
• 10:00 am Food & Fun at the Finish Line

Entertainment and activities will begin at 7:30 am and conclude at 10:00 am. Everyone is welcome to stay at the zoo for the day at the conclusion of the walk.

The Walk will take place rain or shine.

Flag Ceremony NEW this year!

Grab a flag that represents your T1D connection- whether you live with type 1 diabetes, love someone who does, or walk for T1D breakthroughs. During the opening ceremony, we’ll wave our flags together in a powerful moment of unity that shows the strength of our community.

Community Wall NEW this year!

Share a message of hope, strength, or love on our Community Wall. Add a tribute, wish, or everyday reality and watch the wall fill with voices reminding us we’re stronger together.

Pathway to Progress NEW this year!

As you walk, explore key milestones in T1D research -from the first CGMs to the latest breakthroughs in research. Every sign along the way shows how far we’ve come and how your support is bringing us closer to cures.

Breakthrough Mile NEW this year!

The Walk route comes alive with signs honoring our local T1D champions. Each sign-created by families, friends, and supporters—pays tribute to someone’s journey with type 1 diabetes.

WALK ROUTE

The Walk Route is 1 mile long.

PARKING

Parking is available in the main lot. We have closer parking for those who are handicap or earned a V1P parking spot.  Cleveland Zoo employees will direct you to the correct parking lot.

WELCOME TENT

Once you arrive, all Walkers must check-in at the Welcome Area. We will share everything you need to know to make the most of the day for the T1D in your life! Walkers must check-in at this tent to ensure we have all necessary information such as a waiver signed for all participants.  This is also where you will get your Cleveland Zoo tickets.

All Walkers must be registered to enter the zoo.

V1P CLUB MEMBER EXPERIENCE

All $1,000 V1Ps are invited to swing by our special V1P area and have breakfast with the elephants for a V1P celebration experience!

To get access to the V1P area, please visit the Welcome Area to receive your admission.

NEW FAMILIES & WALK TEAMS 

New families & Walk Teams are encouraged to visit the T1D Support & Resources table located inside the Palava Hut.  Here you can learn more about Breakthrough T1D programs and meet others in the T1D community.  In addition, you can pick-up your first-time walker stickers at this table or the Welcome Area.

FOOD, FUN & ENTERTAINMENT

Once you arrive, feel free to explore the site and check everything out! There is time for teams to get settled, explore the Walk site and talk to vendors before starting the Walk. If you’re living with T1D, be sure to grab your T1D identifier to show the work that you’re a champion! We will kick off the event with some short announcements, our T1D Champion parade*, and then we’ll be off to the Walk route. When teams return there will be activities and entertainment for walkers of all ages to keep the party going, so be sure to stick around.

Be sure to bring Rufus to the Palava Hut to give Rufus a check up and snap your pictures of Rufus at the Walk!

For attending the walk, you will have access to the Cleveland Zoo all day.

T1D CHAMPIONS PARADE

Individuals living with T1D should visit the T1D Support & Resource Tent prior to the T1D Champions Parade.  T1D participants will receive their T1D Identifiers at this tent.

As part of the opening ceremony, we will gather ALL our T1D champions together to parade through the site. We will honor all T1D Champions by how many years they’ve been a T1D champion and cheer them on. All T1D Champions should meet us at the food court.  We begin staging for the parade at 8:25 am.  Please look for staff members waving you over, along with balloons.

The parade will begin at 8:40 am. There will also be time after the parade for T1D champions to make it back to their teams before the official start to ensure all families are able to walk the route together.