RAMMS Hartford Marathon, Half, 5K & Worldwide Team
Run A Myelin My Shoes (RAMMS) is united by our determination to exercise to the best of our abilities despite a disease that compromises mobility. Some of us run long distance, lift heavy weights, hike pilgrimage trails or paddle the Pacific Ocean. Wherever we are and whatever we do, we are an international support group motivating and encouraging each other every step of the way.
In 2024, our global family grew even stronger. Two hundred teammates across 17 countries and 33 U.S. states plus DC came together as one united team—exercising, fundraising and spreading awareness of the disease.
Worldwide Team Report
I normally start my report with a summary about our annual in-person event. But without our dynamic Worldwide Team, we would not have such great global presence. This special group proves that solidarity knows no borders. While 50 of us laced up our shoes in Hartford, Connecticut, 160 teammates carried the RAMMS banner around the world in ways both powerful and deeply personal.
RAMMS Worldwide Activities
Chris Fogarty from Maryland kicked off our season in June with a DIY triathlon. And not just an ordinary tri. He took it to the next level by organizing a virtual relay with friends from Los Angeles and the Philippines. How cool is that?
Chris took on the cycling leg, riding 25 intense miles on his stationary bike. He exhausted his legs completely “to the point of Jell-O!” However, mental fatigue set in a couple of days later and he required extra days of down time to allow the cloudiness to clear.
Sheri Paulson normally dresses in her fluffiest orange tutu and leads walkers at our in-person events, but this year she was at her North Dakota farm harvesting corn from 7AM to 10PM, putting in her own kind of marathon. Meanwhile, CrossFit champion Thom Szymanski from Maryland showed us what fierce determination looks like: he joined RAMMS just weeks before Hartford and knocked out 10 grueling rounds of burpees, kettlebell swings with a 40kg bell, Russian twists, air squats and 4-count mountain climbers. I don’t know what half of these terms mean but I am highly impressed (and I somehow hurt just writing about this!). That’s the kind of powerhouse we’re proud to welcome to our team.
Koreen Burrow and David Fox brought their RAMMS spirit to Portugal by hiking 300 miles over four weeks on the Camino Coastal Route. Between charming villages, delicious food and passionately fundraising under our DIY MS, they crushed the disease one step at a time.
In Thailand, Valerie Suwanseree tackled a half marathon in the lush, tropical landscapes of Pakchong showing that RAMMS miles can happen anywhere. In Virginia, Gayle Alderfer Fisher blazed through the Harrisonburg Half Marathon with a speedy sub-2-hour finish. Ellie Tillotson proudly repped RAMMS on a long training run as she prepared for the Marine Corps Marathon. And MS Support Hero William Chow took on the Kansas City Marathon like the pro that he is! These four friends typically come to the in-person events but they couldn’t make it to Hartford. Their spirit and dedication, though, were absolutely felt with us every step of the way.
In Japan, our longtime friends at the Japan MS Society organized a group walk through the bustling Asakusa district in Tokyo, proudly raising awareness and snapping their traditional jocular picture of the Golden Turd atop the Asahi headquarters. And across the Pacific in California, Tim Salmon prone paddled the ocean in his fifth annual RAMMS paddle session. Tim is a champion paddler who has conquered the grueling 22-mile Rock 2 Rock crossing from Catalina Island to San Pedro—not once, but twice—with a support boat to keep watch for sharks (yikes!). For this year’s RAMMS paddle, the course was shorter— a peaceful spin around Coronado Bay—but he wasn’t alone. His support crew this time was a giant blue heron perched on a buoy with outstretched wings ready to defend Tim against sharks!
Brenda Daigle, a prolific hiker from New Jersey, marked her 20-year MS anniversary in the best way possible: by trekking through the wild beauty of Baxter State Park in Maine. Brenda’s weak MS side drags more than it used to and the heat is tough on her body. But with every mile she accomplishes on the trails, she is proving that it is possible to live well with MS.
Meanwhile, in San Diego, my former supervisor and a longtime supporter of our cause, Tim Truitt, took a slower, more intentional approach to his RAMMS activity: a deeply focused, full-body Tai Chi session. With total Zen energy, Tim moved with mindfulness and balance, reminding us all that power doesn’t always have to come from pounding pavement. Sometimes it’s found in the heart.
From Jade Hartland’s strenuous hike to the top of Table Mountain in South Africa to Stephanie Connolly’s invigorating sunrise walk along the shore of Waikiki Beach, dozens more RAMMS teammates moved with purpose around the world. Our Worldwide Team continues to inspire with their determination, grit and truly impressive global reach.
Thuasne Joins RAMMS in London
Thuasne, an international bracing company, has been proudly supporting RAMMS since 2019 by sponsoring our team shirts and/or post-race celebrations year after year. Beyond that, they have played a critical role in helping some of our teammates stay mobile and active by manufacturing the SpryStep AFO, a dynamic ankle-foot orthosis that is durable enough to withstand the demands of running.
This year, Thuasne showed up for RAMMS in an even bigger way—The Big Half, to be precise!
In August, RAMMS held a special gathering at the Big Half in London. A dozen folks from England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Wales, and the US came together to run and connect. Seven Thuasne representatives from France and across England also joined, running alongside RAMMS in a spectacular show of support.
It was a meaningful weekend where friendships were solidified as many teammates met face-to-face for the first time. And some even had the invaluable opportunity to sit down with Thuasne representatives and explore how an AFO might help them stay active and supported.
Hartford Team Report
Meet-Ups and Activities
We strive to make our RAMMS event weekends extraordinary because we know how much time, training, and money our teammates invest to be part of it. We want every person to have a great experience. So, I was a little worried about our inauspicious start.
The first meet-up was Thursday evening at a brewery. The WhatsApp chatter was buzzing all day as people updated each other on arrival times, and we were genuinely excited to hoist our first pint together after not seeing each other for a year. But… the brewery where we were supposed to meet had gone out of business just two weeks prior and they never updated their website. (Sigh)
Of course, living with a chronic disease has trained us to adapt. Within minutes, we pivoted and identified a new brewery that serves beers by the liter. Morale was quickly restored!
The next morning was supposed to kick off with Ryan Weller’s signature shakeout run. But he had a last-minute emergency and the run was almost cancelled. Once again, RAMMS rose to the occasion. Caryl Pawlusiak and her dad, Mike, stepped in as the run leaders. And even though their route to the Riverwalk was blocked by, oh, a freeway (!!!), they persisted and found a hidden staircase that led to the trail. The route was saved and the group got in their miles.
After those two hiccups, the rest of the weekend flowed more smoothly. Most everyone was in town by Saturday afternoon and we gathered again at – you guessed it- a brewery for a late lunch/early dinner. More than 20 of us met and, like always, we practically took over the venue. We centered around a long 10-top table and spilled into the bar and lounge area. People dropped in between bib pick-up and hotel check-ins. It was casual, filled with lots of laughter, and the perfect low-stress way to spend the day before the race.
Hartford Team
The weather on race morning was crisp and it warmed up to 70 degrees with full sun, which sounds lovely, but can cause difficulties for those of us who are heat sensitive. In general, nerves don’t conduct well in the heat for anyone. But when a person has a disease like MS, where neurons do not function properly, symptoms can become worse when the body’s core temperature rises. One might experience muscle weakness, pain, or blurry vision, all of which makes running a much more laborious task.
We always do our best to encourage each other along the course. It helps tremendously that we’re easy to spot because of our beautiful team shirts, sponsored by Full Implant Choice. This year, we were a sea of purple and fuchsia, making it easy to identify teammates in the crowd. For new members especially, the shirts help to foster connection. There is nothing more uplifting that hearing “Go RAMMS” when you are in the middle of a hard run!
We had a fun-loving group of 50 who ran and walked in Hartford. Each person brought their own story to the race, sometimes with a touch of insanity. Jim Meissner, for example, ran the half marathon with a fractured fifth metatarsal. Yes, you read that right. He swapped his orthopedic boot for Hokas that morning just so he could run beside his partner-in-crime (and life), Wendy. Talk about love… and stubborn determination!
Robert Moore continued his quest to run a marathon in all 50 states, proudly adding Connecticut to his growing list just months after crossing off Arizona when a small group of RAMMS met in Mesa. And Natasha Mayton’s insane story? She crossed the finish line of her 27th state in her 50 half marathons goal and then kept going. She hopped into her rental car and drove to Massachusetts to run another half marathon the very next day!
We were also thrilled to cheer on Jenny Koonz, who was selected for the official Inspiration Team of the Hartford Marathon. Jenny’s story is remarkable. She has been living with MS since 2014. She had a terrifying bout of meningitis that left her in a coma for ten days. When she finally woke up, she started walking laps around the hospital as soon as she could stand. Jenny is the essence of a true warrior! Seeing her honored by the Hartford Marathon and having her join a RAMMS in-person event for the first time was an absolute highlight.
It truly was a weekend of beautiful first timers. Kelly Irving, who was supposed to join us in Columbus last year but couldn’t because of a broken ankle, finally made it to Hartford. Her sweet smile and happy-go-lucky attitude brightened each of our meet-ups. Richard Samela who is still navigating the early days of an MS diagnosis said the love and inspiration from teammates helped to push him through the tough marathon. That kind of courage is what RAMMS is all about. Another newcomer, Derek Stefureac, shared, “This was my first RAMMS event and it definitely won’t be my last! It was an absolute pleasure to meet, run with, and hang out with such a great, positive group of people.”
Another kind of first: a first marathon! Jake Pawlusiak has been coming to RAMMS events since 2019 to support his amazing wife, Caryl. She’s undoubtedly a huge inspiration to him—but I also like to think our RAMMS awesomeness rubbed off during all those trips. Most people ease in the racing scene with a 5K, but not Jake. He went all in with the full marathon and crushed it!
Among all the joys we experienced in Hartford, some moments felt precious. We were incredibly lucky to share a little time with our beloved teammate Michael Barrus. Mike was facing stage 4 colorectal cancer, but still made the drive to Hartford with his daughter on race morning to walk the 5K. A month before Hartford, he wrote to me, “I’ll be free from chemo effects (knock on wood) and my pain pump on race day, so I’m looking forward to just being able to do the 5K.” He continued, “I feel so happy to be part of the RAMMS team, and I know it’s already blessed me more than I ever thought it would.”
Sadly, Michael passed away in May 2025 and our hearts are heavy. But his spirit lives on in every encouraging word we offer each other, every time we push through something hard, and every mile we accomplish. It meant so much to see him in Hartford, enjoying all the things that make our team so special.
Our post-race gathering was at WeHa Brewing Company. Hanger Clinic and Thuasne co-sponsored the party and arranged a full taproom buyout for three hours. We had a splendid time celebrating each other’s victories, replenishing our depleted bodies with angus sliders and vegetarian empanadas, and killing muscle pain with delicious beer like the boozy 8.7% ABV ube porter.
We are all deeply connected, and we remind each other that we are never alone in this journey. Living with MS is not easy. Our minds can be amped up with motivation, but setbacks due to issues like pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and other invisible symptoms can be frustrating and disheartening. That’s exactly what makes every mile, every movement, and every moment we show up that much more meaningful.
We don’t pretend it’s easy. We adapt and keep exercising to the best of our abilities. Through that we find joy and we lift each other up. Because when we move forward together, no one is left behind. We are RAMMS!
Hanger Clinic Joins RAMMS in Hartford
Hanger Clinic, a national provider of orthotic and prosthetic care, has been supporting RAMMS since day one. Every year they go above and beyond by sponsoring team shirts and/or post-race celebrations, and even handling some legwork like coordinating our team dinner. But this year, the legwork was quite literal! They showed up to run with us!
Five Hanger representatives joined us on race morning, proudly sporting their RAMMS shirts as they took on the Half Marathon and 5K. After crossing the finish line, they stuck around to cheer for the rest of us. Their presence on the course meant the world, and it reminded us once again that their commitment to our team goes way beyond sponsorship. They’re truly part of the RAMMS family.
More pics of our awesome teammates from around the world and in Hartford
Fundraising, Thank You and Stats
Fundraising
As mentioned earlier, Koreen and David brought their RAMMS spirit to Portugal, fundraising while hiking the 300-mile Portuguese Camino. On the other side of the Atlantic, Gayle used her Boston Marathon bib as an opportunity to collect donations for RAMMS. And Chris not only organized an international triathlon relay, but he also shared his MS story on the neighborhood platform Nextdoor. What he expected to be a small outreach turned into something much more meaningful. Strangers donated generously, others shared their own MS stories, and some simply sent words of encouragement. Chris described the experience as overwhelmingly positive – proving there are many ways we can make an impact in our communities.
Of course, no fundraiser is complete without the support of generous donors. I’m filled with gratitude for the many people who gave to our cause this year, including several people who gave magnanimously: Allie and Adam Hogan, Kristen and Cameron Snapp, Nancy Lee, Brian Earp, Cindy Eisenlohr and Jeff Urschler, and a few incredibly kind souls who chose to remain anonymous. Thank you, all!
All team members are asked to donate a minimum of $40 each year they join the in-person or Worldwide Team. Many of our teammates donated extra to help cover the obligation for others. Furthermore, two anonymous individuals sponsored a total of 20 people where $40 would have hindered them from joining RAMMS 2024. These wonderful and heartwarming acts of kindness exemplify the high level of support we have for each other.
Thank You
Our stylish team shirts (plus drop shipping costs) were sponsored by teammates Adam and Allie Hogan of Full Implant Choice. Everyone loved the colorful graphics and many have said it is their favorite design to date! The shirts are really valued among team members not just because they are of high-quality but also because they are keepsakes that hold a lot of special memories! And a couple of teammates even claim that their shirts make them feel like faster runners!
Allie and Adam also funded the shipping to international team members, as well as the postage for shirts that were not drop shipped by the vendor. Also, a huge thank you to Brian Hile for preparing and mailing out 35 packages to teammates. Dealing with the US Post Office is not an easy task but it was especially frustrating this year. There was a temporary glitch on their website when purchasing postage for packages to Australia and Thailand. Unknowingly, we were assigned tracking numbers that were already in use. You can imagine our angst when we saw the shirts were delivered to Mexico and Hong Kong! It was a mess trying to get refunds for the postage and an absolute miracle that we got the shirts back and properly delivered!
RAMMS is also very lucky to have backing from the MS Society. Not only do they attend our in-person events and run alongside us, like Shannon Feeney, Director of Emerging Events, but they help me behind the scenes with so many things. Examples: sponsoring the team dinner when we were a new team, sponsoring our shirts when funding was tight during the pandemic, using their legal team when the Richmond team hotel tried to stick me with a $6000+ hotel bill, providing local support at event locations, promoting the team on social channels, and much more. I am always grateful for their unwavering support!
By the Numbers
- 200 total teammates
- 97 MS Warriors and 92 MS Support Heroes
- 7 from Thuasne and 4 from Hanger Clinic
- 50 teammates in Hartford
- 150 were worldwide teammates from 6 continents: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America
- Worldwide teammates represented 17 Countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Wales, USA
- 34 US States + DC: AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
- 2 Canadian provinces: AB and NB
- Worldwide MS organizations that promoted RAMMS: Japan and USA
Next Event
Our 8th annual RAMMS events will take place at the Grand Rapids Marathon, Relay, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K on October 19, 2025.
As of June 11th, 62 teammates have already committed. Why so many so early? Because the Grand Rapids races have no time limits for any distance! It’s the perfect opportunity to take on a challenge you might normally shy away from.
Contact us at runamyelinmyshoes@gmail.com to find out how you can be part of the fun!