What is the "Rosstoberfest© Run?"
On October 4, 2008, the first annual Rosstoberfest Run, a 5K Run and Kids for Ross, a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, will take place in College Hill. This event is part of the “Run For Our Sons” program to benefit Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a non-profit organization dedicated to expedite viable treatments and a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
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What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophies are genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness that begin with microscopic changes in the muscle. As muscles degenerate over time, the person’s muscle strength declines.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) was first described by the French neurologist Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne in the 1860s. In DMD, boys begin to show signs of muscle weakness as early as age 3. The disease gradually weakens the skeletal, or voluntary, muscles, those in the arms, legs and trunk. By the early teens or even earlier, the boy’s heart and respiratory muscles also may be affected. DMD is the most lethal form of Muscular Dystrophy.
Until the 1980s, little was known about the cause of any kind of muscular dystrophy. In 1986, MDA-supported researchers identified the gene that, when flawed — a problem known as a mutation — causes DMD. In 1987, the protein associated with this gene was identified and named dystrophin. DMD occurs when a particular gene on the X chromosome fails to make the protein dystrophin. Learn More
How is "Rosstoberfest" affiliated with the BS Oktoberfest?
Ross McFarland was born in 1995 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His mom Beverly and dad Robert, both avid runners, decided in January of 2008 to put together this run to honor Ross and to raise funds for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
The run course will finish at the Blessed Sacrament parish "Oktoberfest" event. The BS Oktoberfest is a great family-centric event which serves a variety of German food and drink. In addition to the delicious fare, activities include live music and games for the kids. Last year over 1,500 people attended this event. Our hope is to begin a great neighborhood tradition with citywide appeal.
