MS Run challenges Canadians to make their kilometres count

Runner’s inboxes are flooded these days with opportunities to race virtually. With so many options, it can be difficult to decide which event you will target. If you’re dealing with decision-making overload, there’s always the option to choose a charity for a cause that’s close to your heart and race for them – that’s what the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada suggests with their event MS Run Presented by Running Room. On Saturday, September 12, runners can come together with the MS community to get active and help bring an end to MS in Canada. 

MS and COVID-19

For those affected by multiple sclerosis, COVID-19 has presented many uncertain and unpredictable concerns on top of an already challenging disease, making the need for information and support more important than ever. By fundraising for and participating in MS Run, you will help raise awareness for MS and provide the support needed by people affected by the disease. 

The community you support

Samantha Noyek is a runner from Thornhill, Ont. who’s currently completing her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Queen’s University in Kingston. She decided to take on a running challenge in support of her friend and classmate Julie Petrin, who lives with MS. Noyek is an avid runner who was looking for a challenge and a good cause – she decided to take on running 200K in one month. Noyek says, “I’d done 100K a month before, so I thought that this time I’d push for the 200K. I thought this was attainable and that I could support Julie as well.”

Noyek has been running for years, completing her first marathon last October. Petrin says that her friend is very motivated in her goals, no matter what field they’re in. She wasn’t surprised that Noyek was capable of running 200K. “She’s extremely accomplished in every aspect of her life. I knew she’d get it done.”

Noyek says this started as a running challenge, but she got way more out of it than she expected. “When I took on this challenge I received quite a few donations and stories of how people were affected by MS,” she says. “Those stories were motivating on long runs and on days when I felt tired. Beyond that, I learned about just how many of my family and friends have encountered MS. You probably know a lot more people with MS than you realize.” With Canada having one of the highest MS rates in the world (on average, 11 Canadians are diagnosed everyday) she’s likely correct. 

Petrin was diagnosed with MS at age 17. Now at 30 years old, she reflects upon all of the life changes that the diagnosis brought: “Everything changed for me that day. I was in CEGEP at the time and studying social sciences when I got my diagnosis. I was trying to cope with the reality of the situation. Through learning so much about MS, I decided to change my major and ended up doing an undergrad in neuroscience. My masters and my PhD have both been in MS research.”

Petrin says that luckily she hasn’t had many relapses, but in order to keep the relapses at bay, she has had to learn her limits. “I’m an active person. Hiking, kayaking and cycling are all important to me. But with MS, it’s negatively affected by heat, so in the summer I manage expectations and don’t push myself too hard.”

Working within her limits, Petrin had a goal of completing a 30-day hike in Nepal over the summer. Due to COVID-19, she won’t be able to do that, so had instead planned a three-day bike trip with Noyek. “We’re cycling from Kingston to Ottawa via the K&P Trail, which is about 300 kilometres. I love camping, so for me it’s just fun to get away, cycle and sleep outside.”

Petrin remembers a time when she couldn’t walk, so she no longer takes movement for granted. “For people who don’t have a disability, take the opportunity to run, walk or hike. I wasn’t able to walk for three months, and it’s something everyone takes for granted. When possible, move your body.”

Make your kilometres count and support Canadians like Julie

Whether you’re an avid runner or picking it up for the first time, MS Run Presented by Running Room is your chance to unite with runners from across Canada toward the ultimate finish line – a world free of MS. Sign up today for MS Run. Runners can set their own goals and raise money while they work toward accomplishing their feat. Runners can even stay motivated and on pace by syncing their Strava account to track their kilometres alongside their fundraising dollars. Each story and each goal are individual but when we run together #WeChallengeMS.