The Countdown Is on for This Year’s MuckFest MS Fundraising Series

by Patricia Silva, PhD | March 23, 2017

The 2017 version of MuckFest MS, the five-kilometer fundraising mud-run series, will begin in a few weeks.

The event, organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Event 360, features more than 18 obstacles in muddy settings. They include the swing set, muck off, skid mark, and more. Participants of any athletic level – beginner to advanced – can join in the fun.

All proceeds will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The New York-based non-profit organization’s mission is to help multiple sclerosis (MS) patients by funding research, increasing awareness, providing ongoing professional education, and offering programs and services for patients and their loved ones. In 2016, the Society invested $42 million in 380 new and ongoing research projects worldwide.

MS affects more than 2.3 million people globally. Last year more than 40,000 people participated in MuckFest MS, raising over $3 million. Since its beginning, the event has raised more than $25 million.

This year’s events, which will include two new cities — Austin and Charlotte, will take place at:
Charlotte –May 6
Boston – May 20, 21
Philadelphia – June 3, 4
New Jersey – June 24, 25
Denver – July 15
Detroit – Aug. 5
Twin Cities – Aug. 19
Chicago – Sept. 16
Bay Area – Oct. 1
Austin –Oct. 14
Dallas –Oct. 28
So Cal – Nov. 11

Once teams cross the finish line, the can celebrate their achievement at the MuckFestival. There, participants can take a photo and have beer from Traveler Beer, the festival sponsor.

Both the event and the MuckFestival are free for spectators. This includes the Lil’ Muckers muddy kids play area.

MuckFest MS, sponsored by AbbVie, encourages runners to form a team, fundraise before the event, and help each other get through the course.

“MuckFest MS is a fun, purposeful opportunity to support people affected by MS,” Holly Messick, vice president of events for the National MS Society, said in a news release. “It’s inspiring to see individuals and teams come together to challenge and support one another in their fundraising efforts and through the obstacles on the course.

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About the Author

Patricia Silva, PhD Patrícia holds a PhD in medical microbiology and infectious diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal. Her work in academia was mainly focused on molecular biology and the genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites. Patrícia earned several travel awards to present her work at international scientific meetings. She is a published author of several peer-reviewed science articles.