National MS Society Welcomes Mud-Loving Runners to Tramp Through Its 5K ‘MuckFest MS’ Fundraiser

Patricia Silva, PhD avatar

by Patricia Silva, PhD |

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MuckFest 2016

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Event360 announced the opening of the 2016 season of MuckFest MS, a 5K “mud run” and fundraiser with over 20 obstacles along its course to challenge and entertain people of all athletic levels.

This year’s run will take place in 11 cities across the U.S., including a Dallas debut at the Southfork Ranch. Anyone can register for any of the following 2016 MuckFest MS runs:

  • Boston, on Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15
  • New Jersey, on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26
  • Denver, on Saturday, July 16
  • Detroit, on Saturday, Aug. 6
  • Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul), on Saturday, Aug. 20
  • Chicago, on Saturday, Sept. 10
  • San Francisco, on Saturday, Oct. 1
  • Houston, on Saturday, Oct. 15
  • Dallas, on Saturday, Oct. 29
  • Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 12

The running course and festival area will be arranged to give spectators the best possible views of the muddy race. Runners are welcome to bring family and friends, as there are no admission fees for spectators. Kids will have their own exclusive mucky play area, called Lil’ Muckers.

Mud-soaked ‘after’ photos are available at the finish line, and to celebrate their run, participants can enjoy complimentary treats and Traveler beers (an event sponsor) in the MuckFestival area.

“MuckFest MS is symbolic. As we overcome the obstacles out on the course, those same obstacles can also inspire us to get back up and keep moving forward,” Betty Ross, the National MS Society’s vice president of Walk MS and Emerging Events, said in a press release.

More than 40,000 people took part in last year’s MuckFest MS, raising over $3 million. All the money goes to support people with MS by helping the MS Society advance its mission of improving patients’ lives through better treatments and care, and of making MS a disease of the past. Since its launch, MuckFest MS has raised more than $22 million.

“MuckFest MS gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people living with MS while having a blast with my friends and family in the mud. Our team, Muckin’ for Michael’s Mom (TeamM4MM), runs and fundraises for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of my mom, who was diagnosed with MS six years ago,”  Michael Pierce, Denver’s MuckFest MS National Team Captain, said in the release. His team has raised over $45,000 in two years of participation.

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About the Author

Patricia Silva, PhD avatar
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.

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fundraising, National MS Society

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