Capital Challenge Walk MS (CW) is a fifty kilometer walk through the DC metropolitan area, which takes place over the course of two days. Planned by the National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, CW raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund research for treatments and a cure as well as to provide programs and services to those individuals currently living with the ramifications of the disease, whether it be their own diagnosis or that of a loved one.
How are these funds raised? Each walker in CW commits to raising at least $1500 by September 1st preceding the event. However, many participants go above and beyond this amount--the average amount raised in 2009 was over $1800, and in 2010 the team I walk with raised over $30,000 amongst six walkers and three volunteers. I have been proud each year to raise over $2000, and I hope to be able to to do the same thing this year.
As I mentioned, the walk itself takes place over two days. On the first day, all walkers meet at the starting location by 7:30am, check-in, stretch, and set off on the route around 8:00am. In past events, we have walked about 21 miles the first day, stopping for lunch around mile 11. The route has rest stops every mile and a half or two miles, at which walkers can get water and snacks, use a restroom, and/or just stop for a minute to take a break. Generally, I have gotten to the overnight location (Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington, VA each of the years I have participated) around 5:00pm.
The overnight location has historically been a large gymnasium, and participants blow up air mattresses and sleep in sleeping bags. There are hot showers, a hot dinner (BBQ for the last few years), and a wonderful candlelight ceremony. Lights out is around 10:00pm, and then we wake up at 7:30am to start day 2.
Day 2 starts with a hot breakfast (at least we've been lucky enough to have one for the last three years), and then we're off for our next 10 mile walk--this time from Arlington to the Capitol. Most people have put on their event t-shirts, and so there is a sea of blue and red shirts walking through the streets. Again there are rest stops every few miles, and we stop at a pre-finish a little aways from the Capitol for lunch. The pre-finish is also where awards are distributed, and where we gear up to walk en masse down Pennsylvania Ave to the Capitol Building--usually chanting "2 days! 50K! Closer to a cure!" and sometimes stopping traffic. For the walk from the pre-finish to the Capitol, those individuals who have MS themselves walk in front, proudly sporting their red shirts while the rest of us march behind them in baby blue. Once we arrive at the Capitol (still chanting), we walk across the finish stage, and everybody receives a medal from the Chapter president, Chris Broullire. An a cappella group sings, and final announcements are made. And then it is time to say goodbye to CW, and in my case my teammates, until the next fall.
A few weeks after the event, the Chapter will send out a "Weekend in Review" to all participants, allowing us to see the full list of top fundraisers, sponsors, award winners, and photos. A few months later, registration opens for the next year, and fundraising starts anew.
You can see the 2010 Weekend in Review here. If you would like to show your support and donate to the cause, please visit my personal page.
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