Muddy Fun at MuckFest® MS Returns to Lake County Fairgrounds
Slip, sliding through mud and obstacles is the name of the game at MuckFest MS, and the results are a fun-filled day of laughter, camaraderie and raising funds for a great cause - helping to end multiple sclerosis. More than 2,600 participants are expected at this year's MuckFest on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, the second year that the site has hosted the event.
Kim Finch of Bartlett, who is living with MS, is participating in MuckFest for the third consecutive year in the Chicago area, and her team "Don't Expect Much" continues to grow, this year to more than 30 members. As of late August, her team had raised over $10,000 to support MS research and services.
"Our team started with just family, then family and friends and has taken off from there," explained Finch. "I wanted to raise awareness and allow myself and my family to have a great time while doing it."
The 5K course, which navigates participants through more than 15 obstacles, provides a challenge that all can enjoy, regardless of fitness level. Doing the course together is the best way to experience MuckFest, where teammates can share some laughs and provide support to one another along the way.
Erin Dorn and her family travel more than 120 miles from their hometown of Cross Plains, Wisc., to participate in MuckFest, and her team, "Erin's Mudskippers" have raised over $100,000 over the past three years. Dorn uses her MS diagnosis and participation in MuckFest as an opportunity to teach her kids about the importance of attitude when life gets tough and when facing situations you cannot control.
"We are demonstrating the power of individuals coming together to make a difference," she said. "My kids are seeing this and are participants in this effort. If we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, it is amazing the goodness that people will show, even sometimes from those you least expect it from."
Nationwide, more than 40,000 participants have raised more than $3 million through MuckFest events in 2016. Since its inception, MuckFest MS participants and donors have raised more than $22 million.
"MuckFest MS Chicago allows us to raise awareness and attract new supporters to the MS movement, many of whom had little or no knowledge of MS before they signed up," said Holly Messick, Greater Illinois Chapter President. "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."
MuckFest is family friendly and the elaborate course and festival area are constructed to ensure spectators get a great view of the muddy action. There's no admission fee for spectators, so runners are encouraged to invite family and friends to enjoy the day. Even kids get their own mucky play area called Lil' Muckers. After teams cross the finish line, they take their mud-soaked "after" photo, hose off, and celebrate their accomplishments with their complimentary Traveler beers and treats in the MuckFestival area. AbbVie is the national sponsor of MuckFest MS. The national MuckFestival sponsor is the Traveler Beer Company.
The MuckFest MS series supports people living with multiple sclerosis, and brings us closer to a world free of MS. 100% of fundraising dollars support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's mission to stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever. Registration is now open at www.MuckFestMS.com.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms vary from person to person and range from numbness and tingling, to walking difficulties, fatigue, dizziness, pain, depression, blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding of the disease. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Society mobilizes people and resources so that everyone affected by multiple sclerosis can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever.
To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Last year alone, through our comprehensive nationwide network, the Society devoted $122.2 million to help more than one million individuals connect to the people, information and resources they need. To move closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested $54 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects around the world. For more information: nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867.
About Event 360
Event 360 is an experienced event management team offering a full range of services, including event production, social impact, fundraising technology, site logistics, communication strategies and customer service. Headquartered in Chicago with team members and partners working nationwide, Event 360 achieves success for its clients using peer-to-peer fundraising and unique events. Since 2003, Event 360's experienced team of event management specialists have successfully produced more than 200 events, which have raised a combined half a billion dollars toward their clients' missions. Learn more at www.event360.com.