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Challenge Walk MS: Savannah 2015
Presented by Merrill Lynch
March 6-8, 2015
Savannah to Tybee Island, GA
WELCOME! Congratulations and thank you for accepting the Challenge! Your
commitment to make your mark on MS will be one of the most rewarding journeys of your life, filled
with friendship, unforgettable moments and most of all, hope. Challenge Walk MS: Savannah 2015 is
a 3 day, 50 mile experience that tests your strength and your spirit, and makes an
extraordinary difference in the lives of 2.1 million people living with MS worldwide.
We promise to help you succeed with your training and fundraising. This Participant Guide will give
you a preview of the Challenge Walk MS: Savannah 2015 event and what to expect. You will also receive eNewsletters, access to our website and all the resources you need to be successful throughout
your journey. Challenge Walk MS is a fully supported event from the moment you register. We will be
with you every step of the way, offering fundraising tools, training schedules, group support, Mentor
programs and much more. Plus, with our powerful online fundraising tools, we’ve made it easier than
ever for your friends and family to contribute to your Walk.
Then, once at the event we begin each day with hearty breakfasts, catered lunches, rest stops stocked
with beverages and snacks, port-a-potties and support vehicles to provide transportation assistance
and keep you safe. All your needs will be taken care of event weekend. You will stay two-three nights
at our host hotel, Ocean Plaza Resort, Tybee Island with comfortable beds and hot showers, and be
treated to dinner and entertainment each evening. Please visit our website at www.ChallengeMS.org
for more information on housing, fundraising resources, training tips, event weekend essentials, itineraries and more.
WHY WE WALK
Your efforts help support the many programs and services provided by the National MS Society, as
well as fund important research into the cause, treatments and a cure for MS. Whether you walk 1
mile or all 50, you are making a difference in the lives of 60,000+ people living with MS in the southeast region. We appreciate your leadership in this movement to end MS forever. We are so excited for
you to be a part of Challenge Walk MS: Savannah 2015, see you in Savannah!
Thank you for all you do,
Southeast Region, Challenge Walk MS Team
Challenge Walk MS: Savannah 2015
Policies & Information
Fundraising & Prize Deadline
Qualification for the prize level deadline is February 20, 2015. The fundraising deadline for your Challenge Walk
MS 2015 participation is April 10, 2015. To honor our participants' commitments and preserve the southeast
region’s financial integrity, no one will be permitted to walk who has not raised the minimum pledge $1500 prior
to the event start March 6, 2015. In the event you cannot meet your minimum, you will be asked to fill out a credit card authorization form, your credit card will be charged the remaining balance.
Please mail all donations (cash, check, matching gift form) and Deposit Slip (download online) to:
CHALLENGE WALK MS ATTN: DIANE PAYNE, 214 OVERLOOK CIRCLE, SUITE 153, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027
To help us serve you better, please make checks out to National MS Society, include on the memo line participant
name and include a deposit slip with any money you turn in.
Safety First
We want everyone to have a safe and memorable weekend. We ask all Walkers follow
these safety guidelines:
1. Obey all traffic laws, law enforcement officers and route guidelines.
2. Do not wear earphones, use radios or talk on cell phones while on the route.
3. No running; this is a walking event.
4. Participants may not walk while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
5. Participants may not remain on the route after the last sweep of the day.
6. Participants must use sidewalks when available.
7. We reserve the right to remove you from the route and/or event at any time should you violate any of the
above safety standards.
Medical Insurance
All participants must have valid medical health insurance to participate in Challenge Walk MS. You will be required
to fill out a medical questionnaire, provide your medical health insurance information and sign a medical waiver
prior to the event.
Minors
All participants must be 12 years of age or older to participate in the Challenge Walk. Any Walker under 18 years
old must be accompanied by a participating adult. No exceptions.
Identification
All participants will be issued Walker credentials at check-in that must be worn during the entire event. The credentials allow you access to route support, rest stops and entry into meals.
Pets
No pets are allowed on the Challenge Walk route or at the hotel except registered service animals. Documentation
from a veterinarian is required for a service animal's participation.
Daily Check-In
All participants are required to check in every day at the start line and finish line. If you need to leave the route at
anytime, you must notify a member of the National MS Society staff.
Walk Times
Each day the route will open and close at specified times. Any Walker who has not completed the course by the
closing time will be picked up and transported to the finish line or hotel. The route times will be published at the
event.
Weather
The Challenge Walk will take place rain or shine. Please be prepared with appropriate clothing.
What To Pack!
March 2-8, 2015 is MS Awareness
Week 2015. Each day, wear orange
on the route to spread awareness!
You will want to pack for all weather
conditions: hot, windy or rain.
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Previous year name tags and *day
bags
2 pairs of worn-in walking shoes
3 sets of t-shirts & shorts
Waterproof jacket
3-6 pairs of socks (moisture wicking)
Comfortable underwear, sports bra
or other athletic support
Long pants/sweatpants
Sweatshirt or fleece
Nice, comfortable outfit for the
evening events
Sunglasses
Hat or visor
Watch
Swimsuit (we’re oceanfront!)
Health / First Aid Items
Sunscreen
Lip balm with sunscreen
Blister Kit: alcohol-free wipes, mole
skin, antibacterial ointment
All required prescription medications
Petroleum jelly or sport lubricant for
chaffing (i.e. Body Glide)
Anti-inflammatory pain medicine
(i.e. Advil)
Antacid
Toiletries
Challenge Walk is cup free event;
Hydration pack or like (i.e. Camelback) or hip pack with water bottle
holder is suggested
Camera
Slippers or flip flops to change into
the end of day
*What’s a day bag?
We provide you with an empty tote that
we encourage you to pack your essentials
you need access to on the route. Pack any
medications, change of socks or shoes,
etc. to help make your 50 mile journey
more comfortable. Drop off your day bag
at the Start line and have access to it at
Lunch and Finish.
Challenge Walk MS
10 Ways to Organize Your Fundraising
Challenge Walk MS is about thinking big... bigger and better than anything you
have ever done before. You may be a little intimidated by the thought of raising $1,500 but it’s much easier than it sounds. Your commitment to walk is
awesome!
1. Set a fundraising goal. All walkers are required to raise a minimum of $1,500
but if you want to raise the bar… set your own personal goal even higher.
2. Make a list of everyone you know. If you limit who you ask, you limit the
amount of money you’ll raise. Go through your phone book, e-mail address
book, holiday card list, co-workers, former co-workers, your doctors, any
groups you belong to, etc.
3. Determine how you will fundraise. Start collecting donations online. Create
a personal web page (if you registered online, we have already created one for
you). Start a letter-writing campaign. Whether you plan to send a letter, postcard or e-mail, our website has great samples to help you get started.
4. Direct your sponsors to our website. They can simply find your name to
make a donation on your behalf.
5. Keep the sponsor sheet with you. You never know when or where you’ll
meet a potential sponsor! Donation deposit slips are available on our website.
6. Demonstrate your commitment by writing YOUR name on the first line of
the sponsor sheet!
7. Network at the office! Post the sponsor sheet outside your door or in a busy
area (coffee machine, copier). Don’t forget the copy repairperson, courier, and
vending machine operator!
8. Follow Through! It may seem like a detail, but this is a critical step in fulfilling your goal and showing appreciation to your donors. Be diligent with
your efforts. Cultivate your relationships. Following through is the KEY! After
you send out a letter, call the recipients to make sure they received your letter
and to see if you can count on their support. After someone makes a pledge,
send a thank you note. Give your donors updates on your fundraising and
training progress, and thank them for their support. In addition, invite them to
celebrate with you at the Finish Line!
9. Inspire others to share in your commitment. Your commitment is amazing
and your expectations are high. What you are doing is on behalf of the many
thousands of people affected by MS in the United States. People will support
you because you are raising money and awareness about this disease and you
are serious in your commitment to fight MS. You are not asking for the contribution for yourself, you are asking on behalf on the National MS Society and all
the people with MS in the region.
10. Matching Gift Program. This is the simplest way to double your contributions. Contact Diane.Payne@nmss.org for more information!
Challenge Walk MS: Savannah 2015
TRAINING!
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Training should begin as soon as you register for Challenge Walk MS. But make sure to assess your fitness
and choose a program (see below) before charging off toward the horizon. Training for a long-distance
walk requires the practice of what is called progressive overload. The idea of progressive overload is to
make your body do just a little more work (that is, a little more walking) than it is used to doing, step-bystep, over the period of many weeks, so that your body is able to gradually and steadily gain fitness.
There are two training programs, an “Ideal Program” and a “Minimum Program.” Ideally, beginning walkers will allow themselves 18 weeks to prepare for the challenge. If you complete the 18-week Ideal Program you will be able to master Challenge Walk with energy to spare. The Minimum Program is a 12week program for beginning walkers who do not have 18 weeks available to prepare.
Each week the goal is to increase your total mileage safely. For the most part you should still rest every
other day to recharge your body and muscles, but since you’re training for a three-day event you’ll occasionally do back-to-back long walks. Speed is not an issue until you are able to walk the distance comfortably, but try to walk a little bit faster one day per week. Thursday is a good day to pick up the tempo.
Each week may be altered to fit your schedule, but sticking to a schedule is important for optimum training. If you find one week is too difficult, repeat it before you progress.
Sample 12 or 18 Week Training Schedule:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
MON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
TUE
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
WED
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
4
OFF
4
OFF
4
OFF
5
OFF
5
OFF
5
OFF
3
THU
3
4
4
4
4
OFF
4
OFF
4
OFF
4
OFF
5
OFF
5
OFF
4
OFF
FRI
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
3
OFF
3
OFF
3
OFF
4
OFF
5
OFF
5
OFF
OFF
SAT SUN Miles
3
4
13
3
5
15
3
6
17
3
8
19
4
10
22
4
8
23
4
12
24
4
10
25
4
14
26
4
12
27
4
16
28
5
12
30
4
18
31
6
12
32
4
20
33
6
12
32
8
10
26
Challenge Walk 50
SEE YOU IN SAVANNAH!
For all event information, support and downloads visit
www.ChallengeMS.org
ChallengeMS@nmss.org
704.731.1430