County Councilman McBlain To Run A Muck For MS

MEDIA–Thousands of runners will get down and dirty at the this weekend to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society, including Delaware County Councilman John McBlain who will be slipping and sliding over mud-covered obstacles along with hundreds of other runners.

Councilman McBlain was joined by Megan DiPanni of Media, vice president of development for the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, at the May 30th county council meeting to announce the MuckRuckus MS Philly event, .

DiPanni said MuckRuckus is one of the main fundraisers for the society, whose mission is to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

MuckRuckus MS Philly is a two-day event featuring a 10K race that consists of 40 boot camp-style obstacles that are surrounded by mud. Runners are released in waves of 250 and volunteers are on hand to hose them down as they complete the course.

“We are really pleased to hold this event in Delaware County,” DiPanni said. “Last year, we had 3,700 participants and raised over $800,000. This year, we expect to have 7,000 participants, 500 volunteers and we hope to raise $1 million.”

Councilman McBlain will participate in MuckRuckus in support of his sister, Kathleen Spina, of Glen Mills, who continues her fight with MS.

“This year I joined a team that my nieces started called ‘Kath’s Kids.’ We’re participating with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fundraise for those who have been diagnosed with MS and to raise awareness across our entire community,” said McBlain. “There is no current cure for multiple sclerosis and individuals face a lifetime filled with unpredictability.”

DiPanni said the number of people living with MS increases every hour of every day. Research has made some incredible advances but the world can still only offer disease management drugs and therapies to the 400,000 people living with MS across the country.

At MuckRuckus MS, teams and individuals slosh, swing, slip and slide through 20-25 obstacles oozing with mud while raising critical funds and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The course challenges each participant’s strength and endurance as they face obstacles that have been surrounded by or consist entirely of mud.

“Whether you participate with a team, or fulfill a personal goal, you’ll have a blast tackling this challenging course featuring miles of water, mud, and muck, and be rewarded with far more than a finish line,” said DiPanni. “It’s a good time and, above all, it raises awareness and funds to help fight MS.”

The experience is open to anyone who loves to get dirty and is over the age of 12 on the day of the event. For information contact the National MS Society contact the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter Office at 215-271-1500 or visit their website www.nationalMSsociety.org/pae. People can also visit www.muckruckusms.org/philly.