Opening ceremonies at last year’s Mitchell Run.
Stroll along beautiful downtown Rockford with a live band and deejay, and place bids in a silent auction with items including a Nintendo Wii, MSU/Michigan game tickets, a 32GB iPod Touch, a Trek Pure Sport Cruiser bike, or a one-week condo stay in Los Cabos, Mexico, and many local merchant gift certificates as part of the fun of the 13th annual Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford this Saturday, August 20.
Twelve hundred runners are already booked to take to the streets and the White Pine Trail as part of the route for the annual race to raise awareness and funds to fight Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. Named after Mitchell Peterson, who, along with fellow Rockford students Alec Lundy and Tyler Fehnesfeld, has Duchennes, the race has inspired other events geared toward the same cause, including Volley 4 Mitchell, Classmates for a Cure, Strides for a Cure, and Mitch Madness. To date, well over half a million dollars has been raised for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
It isn’t too late to sign up for the 5K run/walk that has become a signature event for Rockford. According to Sandy Peterson, Mitch’s mom, the 150 volunteers and multiple sponsors are responsible for the success of the well-run race. She also attributes the generosity of Rockford merchants and the help of the city. She is always quick to point out that the race is more about educating the public on the importance of finding a cure for Duchennes, although the amount of money raised for muscular dystrophy research is impressive.
Runners and walkers can sign up at Mitchellsrun.org to register online or can sign up prior to the 8:30 a.m. race Saturday. The silent auction takes place before, during and after the race and ends at 10 a.m. Watch for runners on the team Classmates for a Cure, who have their own t-shirts and are donating money to the Rockford Education Foundation.
“Maybe one of these kids will grow up to be a scientist and will find a cure,” said Sandy.
Comments by our Readers