How far would you run to save a life? Ten miles? 26.2? Even 50? In late April, 25 teams of runners will run more than 90 miles in a spectacular overnight journey to raise money and awareness for juvenile Batten disease, a rare, fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects children.

Run to the Sun Relay is an overnight, long distance relay that starts each year at Enchanted Rock State Park and ends at Murchison Middle School in Austin, Texas. The 4th Annual Run to the Sun Relay will begin on April 26, and will end with a sunrise celebration and 2K Fun Run on April 27. We expect over 400 people to participate. We encourage all participants and their families, and friends of Beyond Batten Disease Foundation to join us at the sunrise celebration breakfast held at the Murchison Middle School track. We will stand together at sunrise to acknowledge the strength of all those affected by Batten disease and envision a world where this devastating disease no longer exists.

Run to the Sun was created four years ago by the parents of an Austin fifth grader with juvenile Batten disease. Each year, her teachers and family friends form teams to run, and her friends from school work as volunteers during the race. This is a remarkable story – about an unusual race and an unusual family, who responded to this devastating diagnosis by working to make a real difference.

Over the past 3 years, the relay has raised almost $700,000 to support Batten disease research. This year, the foundation wants to increase our total to $1 million, and needs the support and participation of the Austin and Batten disease communities to reach that goal. Whether old or young, fast or slow, near or far, this event offers a variety of opportunities for both runners and non-runners to get involved in the fight to eradicate Batten disease.

WE WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP IN PUBLICIZING SIGNUPS FOR THIS EVENT NOW, AND IN COVERING RUN TO THE SUN ON THE DAY OF THE RELAY. We’re looking for runners to participate in the relay and for volunteers to support them as they run through the night. Our 2K Fun Run is open to people of all ages and speeds. This is a fantastic opportunity for many kinds of coverage, including a fun way to keep New Year’s fitness resolutions, a medical story, an education story about the involvement of local teachers, or a live shot on the night of April 26 or the morning of April 27.

To learn more about Run to the Sun, please visit www.runtothesunrelay.com or contact Mary Beth Kiser at info@beyondbatten.org or 512-275-2600. We are happy to connect you with runners, with volunteers and with families affected by juvenile Batten disease.

For more information about juvenile Batten disease and Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, please visit www.beyondbatten.org.

Click here to watch the inspirational recap video from Run to the Sun Relay 2013.

To view this release on PR Web, click here.