FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Brian Van Norman (O) 919.232.5008 brian@articulon.com

Ridgewood Turkey Trot Shatters Attendance Record

Nearly 3,000 Participate in Thanksgiving Day Tradition

RALEIGH, N.C. (November 26, 2009)-An estimated 2,900 people participated this morning in the 2009 Ridgewood Turkey Trot (www.ridgewoodturkeytrot.com), shattering the previous record of 1,744 set last year. Race officials estimated $27,000 was raised in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Eastern North Carolina.

"We are so thankful to all of the runners, volunteers and supporters who helped make this year's Turkey Trot the most successful yet," said Bruce Bokish, event director of the Ridgewood Turkey Trot. "It was an amazing morning."

Held at Ridgewood Shopping Center, people from 36 states, Canada, France, Germany and Malaysia participated in the sixth annual event. Sandy Roberts of Raleigh was the first place male and overall winner of the competitive 8K race, finishing in a time of 25:30. Elaine Laurie of Raleigh was the fastest female competitive winner, with a time of 30:43. The Ridgewood Turkey Trot included four events: competitive and noncompetitive 8K races, a one-mile fun run and a kids' dash.

"What a unique and energizing way to start off the Thanksgiving holiday," said Harry Hartofelis, Raleigh resident and first-time race runner. "My wife and I were happy to burn a few calories while supporting a great cause."

Ridgewood Shopping Center, Mizuno and Fleet Feet Sports, Raleigh served as presenting sponsors for the event. Race results will be accessible at www.precisionrace.com.

Race photos will be available at www.hillevents.printroom.com.

About MS Events: MS Events is a Triangle nonprofit, dedicated to coordinating bike and foot races that raise funds and awareness for local causes. The organization began as a group of volunteers and continues today as such with nonprofit certification. Currently, MS Events raises funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Eastern North Carolina. 2009 events include: St. Patty's Run Green 8K, Cup 'n Cone Tour and the Ridgewood Turkey Trot. For more information, visit www.mseventsnc.org.

About Ridgewood Shopping Center: Ridgewood Shopping Center has been serving the Raleigh community for more than 40 years. Locally owned and operated since its inception, Ridgewood Shopping Center has made a point of maintaining a high quality mix of local and national merchants. Ridgewood tenants have carefully built their reputation by providing their customers with a higher level of service and merchandise. For more information call 919.787.2599 or visit www.ridgewoodshoppingcenter.com.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. Each year, through our home office and 50-state network of chapters, we devote approximately $125 million to programs and services that enhance more than one million lives to move us closer to a world free of MS. In 2007, the Society invested more than $46 million to support 440 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. If you or someone you know has MS, please contact the National MS Society today at www.nationalmssociety.orgor 1-800 FIGHT MS to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

About Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.

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Related Links

1. http://www.ridgewoodturkeytrot.com