Online for 2021, Team Cure SMA Race Series Planning Variety of Events

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many activities to be online only, but in the case of this year’s Team Cure SMA endurance race series, the limitation means more people can join.

Register here for the May 23 virtual endurance event, in which participants can bike, run, or walk to raise funds for Cure SMA, a nonprofit organization that provides support to patients and families affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and funds and directs SMA research. This year’s fundraising goal is $200,000.

Athletes from around the nation have participated in the endurance program, started in 2019, raising money and awareness of spinal muscular atrophy, a neurodegenerative disorder estimated to affect 1 in every 8,000 to 10,000 individuals.

The Team Cure SMA program started with runners and cyclists training for dozens of endurance events nationwide.  This year, challenges caused by the coronavirus outbreak means the program can be more inclusive. The event schedule will be announced at a later date.

“With many endurance events still to be postponed or cancelled due to the ongoing global pandemic, Cure SMA is opening up our endurance event program to a broader swath of the spinal muscular atrophy community with event challenges of all shapes and sizes,” a Cure SMA press release states.

Supporters may participate in a virtual marathon, half marathon, 10K, or 5K race. The organization will provide participants with new endurance gear, training, and fundraising help. Those who don’t wish to run or bike will be able to support the event by donating to a team.

Participants in the 5K and 10K events are asked to raise a minimum of $250. Half-marathon and marathon participants must shoot for $500 and $750, respectively.

Gear given to Team Cure SMA participants this year will include racing shirts, fanny packs, and “fandanas.” And whether participants bike, run, or walk, the organization will offer the training and support needed.

To help maximize fundraising efforts, Cure SMA will provide sample emails, graphics for social media platforms, and tips and ideas for getting friends, associates, and co-workers involved.

And, because this year’s events are virtual, Team Cure SMA endurance racers will have the support of an expansive online community.

For more information, send an email to Alyssa Zavislak, Team Cure SMA’s endurance development manager, using this address: [email protected].