Local charity sending runners to Arizona to raise donations for multiple sclerosis research

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s San Diego-based Pacific South Coast Chapter, with headquarters in Scripps Ranch at 12121 Scripps Summit Drive, is participating at the 10th annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 20 with a team of runners called the “MS Rockstars.”

In exchange for donating a minimum of $1,750, members of the MS Rockstars are receiving personalized training, VIP treatments on race day and other perks, including pre-race carbo load team meal, transportation from host hotel to and from the race start-finish line and exclusive hospitality lounge with catered food. The funds raised will benefit the National MS Society in MS research and providing programs and services for people with MS, a chronic, unpredictable and disabling disease of the central nervous system with no known cause, cure or prevention. For information about the MS Rockstars, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit www.MSrockstars.com.

“This is an opportunity to run, walk, cycle, or relay, plus party like a rockstar, all for a good cause to help us move us closer to a world free multiple sclerosis,” said Rich Israel, Pacific South Coast Chapter president. “It will be the experience of a lifetime, meeting new friends and having a rockin’ good time.” Israel said members of MS Rockstars who donate amounts greater than the $1,750 minimum will be eligible to receive bonus perks, including hotel accommodations and spa or golf experiences.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll event in Arizona, organized by San Diego-based Competitor Group, Inc., is expected to draw more than 25,000 participants touring through closed streets in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe and enjoying live bands rocking along each mile of the 26.2 mile- and 13.1-mile courses.

Competitor Group has added new activities to the 2013 Arizona event. The inaugural Cole Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Bike Tour will begin prior to the start of the marathon and half-marathon. Cyclists will be invited to ride 20 miles of the marathon course while enjoying the full Rock `n’ Roll experience, including on-course entertainment, finishers medals, t-shirts and the post-race headliner concert featuring Andy Grammer at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. In addition, runners can run either a 5.4-mile mini-marathon or a two-person half-marathon relay, allowing participants to share the 13.1-mile distance with a friend or family member.

The event has two start lines, with the half-marathon starting in Tempe and touring Scottsdale, Skysong and Papago Park. Full marathoners and the Bike Tour will start at Cityscape in downtown Phoenix before heading along Indian School Road and touring Old Town Scottsdale. Runners on both courses will enjoy a downhill finish, crossing the scenic Mill Avenue Bridge before reaching the finish line at Sun Devil Stadium, where runners can relax and enjoy a festival and headliner concert.

The event includes a free Health & Fitness Expo presented by Fox10 and My45, where participants can find more than 100 vendors and interactive clinics with running and cycling experts and elite athletes. The Expo will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on Friday, January 18, and Saturday, January 19, and is free and open to the public. Information and registrations for all races is available at www.RunRockNRoll.competitor.com/Arizona.

Competitor Group, Inc., creators of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series, is the leading endurance media and event entertainment company dedicated to promoting the sports of running, cycling and triathlon.  Based in San Diego, the company's aggregate customer base now exceeds 7 million endurance enthusiasts and athletes. Its portfolio of media and event assets include Competitor.com, a robust digital community; Raceit.com, a leading digital registration platform; and more than 83 events around the world, including the flagship Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series in 32 markets, the TriRock Triathlon Series in seven markets and the Muddy Buddy Series in eight markets., collectively delivering more than 600,000 professional and amateur participants in 2012. Anchoring the company with rich content and marketing leverage are five publishing properties dedicated to running, cycling, triathlon and the world of multisport including Velo, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete, Women's Running and Competitor with a combined monthly circulation of over 700,000.