Local to run 140 miles for MS

LAFAYETTE — As if completing two Ironman Triathlons, multiple marathons, and a 50k wasn't enough, Lafayette resident Ken Grisback will be tackling a new challenge — running 140 miles in six days all to benefit Multiple Sclerosis.

Grisback along with 15 other runners are trekking a total of 3,000 miles across the United States, from Los Angeles, Cali. to New York City, N.Y. over six months as part of MS Run the US. MS Run the US, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to raising disease awareness and funds to further research in the fight to end multiple sclerosis.

The runners have been selected to individually run the equivalent of approximately a marathon (26.2 miles) every day for six consecutive days during their assigned segment. Grisback's leg will take him from Clearfield, Pa. on Aug. 24 to Mahanoy City, Pa. on Aug. 29.

The entirety of the relay will span 145 days in an effort to raise $500,000 to help cure multiple sclerosis. Grisback is looking to raise a total of $10,000 — so far he has close to $7,000 but still needs more donations.

To prepare for this trek, Grisback's training schedule consists of running five days with a total mileage ranging from 50 to 60 miles per week.

"So far (training has been tough)," Grisback said. "But I think the difference is where before you are doing it for yourself and in this case you are doing it for other people, which is people suffering from MS. So it gives you a little extra motivation to get out there knowing you are doing something that hopefully will lead to a cure eventually."

Running essentially a marathon for six days straight is no easy feat, so Grisback is looking to his fellow runners for inspiration.

"Motivation of the foundation will drive (my training)," says Grisback. "Of the 16 runners, I want to say about half of them have MS. That’s motivation just knowing that they are suffering from this disease and they can go out and do it. There was one gentleman who just finished 200 miles in 10 days, he did two segments. That really is the motivation, I would not go out and do this on my own. But it takes a passion that I have which is endurance sports and marries it with a good cause, which is also something I believe in."

Grisback became specifically interested in MS when he ran into a scare in 2009. He contracted Lyme disease and at the time the doctor thought it could possibly be MS. Part of the symptoms were fatigue and balance — similar to Lyme disease. Grisback then did his research about MS and found out there is no cure.

MS affects more than approximately 400,000 Americans and 2.1 million people world-wide.

Along with running to help find a cure, Grisback is hoping his efforts will serve as a positive example to his three daughters — Taylor (11), Jillian (8) and Kayla (6).

"My wife (Melissa) is actually a runner as well, she was actually in Boston when the bomb went off. We were all there," Grisback said. "She's a very good runner. And our kids are very supportive and hopefully this inspires them to not only live a healthier lifestyle but also go out and support something they believe in. It’s the reason why my wife and I do a lot of this stuff to really provide a good example to them as they grow up."

To learn more about MS Run, to follow Grisback on his journey or to donate visit msruntheus.com/kengrisback.