A dedicated team of runners will be taking on a cross-country course, one segment at a time, with the start of the charity endeavor taking place locally.
On April 3, Michael Azar kicked off the MS Run the US ultra relay at the Santa Monica Pier, committed to running the first segment of a cross-country journey poised to end in New York City in August. Azar will be running the first segment in six days from Santa Monica to Barstow, California, with a goal to raise $10,000 for multiple sclerosis (MS) research.
Each of the journey’s 21 runners has made the same commitment to MS research during what the organization calls "America’s longest relay run."
"In the realm of endurance running, where each stride embodies resilience and determination, MS Run the US stands out as a beacon of hope and solidarity," the organization said. "This remarkable initiative … serves as a powerful catalyst for change."
The relay has continued to grow over its 12 years, with the 3,260-mile relay made up from an "exceptionally deep pool of qualified candidates." Funds raised through the relay fuel research and aid those living with disability due to MS, with the 2024 relay team already having raised $170,760 as of March 28. Since 2010, the event has raised $3.4 million.
"This relay event truly is a personal and exclusive experience for each runner," MS Run the US founder Ashley Schneider said. "Being part of the team challenges them in mind, body and spirit. The determination and effort to meet their training and fundraising goals for the MS community is nothing short of exceptional."
The 2024 event includes a new event, the No Rules Relay and STOP MS Celebration in Milwaukee on July 7, which coincides with the finish of the 15th of 21 segments. To learn more about the initiative, visit msruntheus.org.
Credit: Heidi Richter
Local Sports Scores
Santa Monica Baseball
Thursday, April 4: Vikings vs Highland, Vikings win 5-1
Batting/Baserunning: Jacob Myrow: 0-2, HBP, SB. Sage Douglass: 0-4, K. Bobby Munoz: 0-3, K. Blue Hunter: 2-2, R, RBI, SF, BB. Isaac Liberman: 1-4, 2 R, K. Jackson Myrow: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB. Aaron Heirigs: 0-3, FC. Brady Satinover: 3-4, 3B, 2 R, K, SB. Manny Lares: 0-2, SH/B.
Pitching: Jackson Klein: 6.0 IP, W, 3 H, R, BB, 8 K, 0.00 ERA. Blue Hunter: 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
Friday, April 5: Vikings vs Carson, Vikings win 7-3
Batting/Baserunning: Jacob Myrow: 2-2, HBP. Gavin Kirtley: 0-3, 2 K. Sage Douglass: 1-4, 2 R, RBI. Spencer Levin: 0-2, RBI, BB. Blue Hunter: 1-3, R, K, SB. Isaac Liberman: 0-2, 2 BB. Jackson Myrow: 1-3, 2B, R, RBI, SF, SB. Theo Smith: 1-1. Brady Satinover: 1-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 SB. Manny Lares: 0-2, R, BB, K, FC.
Pitching: Tony Ponce: 4.1 IP, W, 3 H, R, 2 BB, K, 0.00 ERA. Aaron Heirigs: 2.2 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 5.25 ERA
Saturday, April 6: Vikings at Capistrano Valley Christian, Vikings win 5-0
Batting/Baserunning: Jacob Myrow: 0-2, 2 BB, K. Sage Douglass: 0-3, BB, 2 K. Bobby Munoz: 0-3, K. Spencer Levin: 0-3, K. Blue Hunter: 1-3, R, RBI, BB, SB. Isaac Liberman: 2-3, R, HBP, 2 SB. Jackson Myrow: 1-1, 3B, 2 R, 3 BB, SB. Theo Smith: 0-1. Brady Satinover: 1-4, R, K, FC, SB. Manny Lares: 0-2, 2 K.
Pitching: Eddie Jennings: 7.0 IP, W, 3 H, 2 BB, 11 K
Vikings Record: 15-3 (5-1 Bay League) Next Game: Friday vs St. Margaret’s, 6pm.
Santa Monica Boys and Girls Track and Field
Friday, April 5: Tiger Invitational at South Pasadena
Men’s 800 Meter Varsity Finals: 26- Landon Kozmor (Junior), 2:03.18
Men’s 800 Meter Rising Stars Finals: 9- Kingsley Lin (Freshman), 2:05.63
Men’s 1,600 Meter Varsity Finals: 35- David Ervin (Senior), 4:35.73
Men’s 1,600 Meter Rising Stars Finals: 68- Emerson Hill (Sophomore), 4:54.52
Men’s Shot Put Varsity Finals: 8- Alberto Villasenor (Senior), 43-04.00
Women’s 400 Meter Rising Stars Finals: 32- Tessa Levine (Sophomore), 1:07.86
Women’s 800 Meter Varsity Finals: 10- Cleo Topp (Junior), 2:23.48. 18- Maeko Gross (Junior), 2:28.64.
Women’s 800 Meter Rising Stars Finals: 11- Shenandoah Markos (Sophomore), 2:31.35, 12- Charlie Llorente (Freshman), 2:31.59
Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles Varsity Finals: 12- Zinnia Weybright (Senior), 16.88 seconds
Women’s Shot Put Varsity Finals: 3- Reign Snowden (Senior), 35-08.00
Women’s Discus Varsity Finals: 2- Reign Snowden (Senior), 98-01.00
Women’s High Jump Varsity Finals: 9- Zinnia Weybright (Senior), 4-10.00
Women’s Triple Jump Varsity Finals: 3- Zinnia Weybright (Senior), 34-09.00
Friday, April 5-Saturday, April 6: 2024 Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High
Men’s 400 Meter Open Finals: 18- Spencer Hotch (Senior), 49.30 seconds
Men’s 800 Meter Speed Medley Relay Invitational Finals: 4- Logan Hanvey (Sophomore), Giovanni Crabtree-Ireland (Junior), Charles Rusler (Senior), Spencer Hotch (Senior), 1:34.18 Next Meet: Wednesday at Culver City
Saint Monica Baseball
Wednesday, April 3: Mariners at Village Christian, Village Christian win 10-4
Thursday, April 4: Mariners vs Merced, Mariners win 9-4
Mariners Record: 10-5 (3-2 Camino Real League) Next Game: Tuesday at St. Paul, 3:15pm.
Saint Monica Boys Volleyball
Friday, April 5: Mariners vs Palisades, Palisades win 2-0
Mariners vs Roosevelt, Roosevelt win 2-0
Saturday, April 6: Mariners vs Le Lycee, Mariners win 1-0
Mariners Record: 10-16 (5-2 Camino Real League)
Next Game: Tuesday vs Bosco Tech, 5pm.
