Cross Country Relay Starts Wednesday from the Santa Monica Pier to Raise Money to Combat MS

An annual 3260 mile cross country relay will begin at the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday, April 3rd.

The relay finishes four months later in New York City. The purpose: Raising money to combat Multiple Sclerosis, aka MS.

21 runners each will cover 160 miles more or less over 6 days. The organization behind the event is called MS Run the US. "This year's first runner, Michael Azar, kicks off the event running 164 miles in 6 days; more than a marathon per day for 6 consecutive days."

"MS Run the US Ultra Relay is America's longest relay run, the first and only of its kind. To participate, each runner commits to running approximately 160 miles over 6 consecutive days during an assigned relay segment and to raise $10,000 during the year."

Of the list of 21 runners, no less than 3 have MS themselves.

The race was started by Ashley Schneider. "This relay event truly is a personal and exclusive experience for each runner," she says. "Being part of the team challenges them in mind, body and spirit. The determination and effort to meet their training and fundraising goals for the MS community is nothing short of exceptional."

To date, the 2024 relay team has raised $170,760. The 2024 relay team has run 8,910 training miles, averaging 100 miles per runner per month. Since 2010, MS Run the US has raised $3.4 million dollars.

An annual 3260 mile cross country relay will begin at the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday, April 3rd. Michael Azar from Denver will be the first runner.

For more information, please visit to http://www.MSruntheus.org

Names of the 21 runners along with their hometowns.

Michael Azar-Denville, NJ

Brian O'Hara-Austin, TX

Liz Canty-Castle Rock, CO

Megan Hazen-Albertville, AL

*Niki Moshiri & Drew Rice-Manhattan Beach, CA

Aunna Austin-New Plymouth, ID

Rebecca Spiegel-Denver, CO

Levi Perez-Denver, CO

Doreen Caquelin-Standford, MT

Randall Devlin-Scottsbluff, NE

Tyson Baker-Visalia, CA

*Matt Knaggs-Perrysburg, PA

Rusty Beckham-Bossier City, LA

Diana Giacalone-St. Charles, MO

Brittany Walters-Port Orchard, WA

Alex Jakubic-Linden, MI

Kenneth Elms-Elkorn, NE

Carmen McCane-Cincinnati, OH

Thomas Yorke-Catonville, MD

David Remm-Mechanicsburg, PA

*William Valderrama-Brooklyn, NY

*Runner with MS