ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?
NATIONAL MS SOCIET Y ∫ MS ROCKSTARS
2013 EVENT GUIDE
NOW IT'S TIME! YOU HAVE MADE IT! You've trained and toiled to get to this point. There may have been tears (of joy or pain) along the way, but you know that a moment of discomfort is nothing compared to the daily struggles of living with MS. You are already an MS Rockstar because you are making a difference in the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis. So, THANK YOU for being freakin' RAD! It's going to be a ridiculously awesome weekend!
CONTACT US If you still have questions after reading this guide, please do not hesitate to get in touch! We're here for you every step of the way! Renata Sahagian 760-448-8406 renata.sahagian@nmss.org 800-486-6762 MSrockstars@nmss.org
LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! Two easy steps to begin your MS Rockstar weekend!
1
Pick up your Race # and D-tag (for race timing) in person with a signed confirmation sheet and photo ID at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, January 18 or Saturday, January 19. The check-in will be located within the registration area of the expo.
2
Pick up your MS Rockstar event tech tee and goodie bag from the MS Rockstar booth at the expo. Additional meal tickets and merchandise will be available for purchase, plus you can say hello to your coaches and groupies, as well as meet other Rockstars! Our booth (#02) will be in the vendor display area below the large MS Rockstars banner (read: you won't be able to miss us!).
WHAT'S HAPPENING? HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO Phoenix Convention Center North Building Halls A-D 100 Third Street Phoenix, AZ 85004 Friday, January 18 12:00pm - 7:00pm Saturday, January 19 9:00am - 5:00pm You will need to pick up your race number, timing chip and MS Rockstar swag in person on one of the above days!
MS ROCKSTAR HOST HOTEL
Arizona Biltmore 2400 East Missouri Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85016 (800) 950-0086 Check-in: 4:00pm Check-out: 12:00pm
SHUTTLE SERVICE
24-hour valet parking is available at the Resort for $27/night. Overnight self-parking is also available near Villa guestroom locations and in the parking garage for $12/night.
10:00am Biltmore > Expo
1:00pm Expo > Biltmore
11:00am Expo > Biltmore
2:00pm Biltmore > Expo
12:00pm Biltmore > Expo
3:00pm Expo > Biltmore
Shuttle service from the host hotel to the expo will be available on January 19.
JANUARY 19: MEET YOUR FELLOW ROCKSTARS
We get the party going before race day! After you've gotten yourself checked in at the hotel and the health & fitness expo, relax and then join us for some fun in the evening!
5:00pm Cocktail Hour
This is an informal time to meet other Rockstars, give your coach a hug and comiserate on the journey you will soon be taking.
6:00pm Team Carbo Load
Wear your MS Rockstars t-shirt and some item/ attire that represents the state you're from. Show us how creative you can be! (Lots of MS orange is good too!) You'll enjoy a delicious dinner, and get inspired for race day with some testimonials from your teammates. Then, it's off to bed, because race day starts early!
JANUARY 20: RACE DAY!!!
Let the madness begin.
MS Rockstars should be ready in the main lobby!
5:15am
5:30am 7:50am 8:00am 11:00am
If you're not what people would call a "morning person," set your alarm earlier than you normally would so you don't miss the shuttle to the start line! It is highly recommended that all MS Rockstars take the shuttle, even in you live in the area. Race day traffic is crazy and you've earned the VIP treatment of avoiding traffic and parking shenanigans. Simply park on one of the side streets near the hotel and come to main lobby. We'll take care of you from there.
This train is bound for glory. The shuttle leaves at 5:30am on the dot! Don't be late! This is the only shuttle to the start for race participants. P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon STARTS! Don't forget to wear your MS Rockstars event tech tee! Let's look like the bad ass team we are! (Relay participants will head over to the transition area at 7:45am)
Spectator shuttle from host hotel to the finish. We encourage your friends & family to use this option to avoid road closures and traffic snarls. They'll be all set to cheer you on as you finish!
Finish Line Concert featuring Andy Grammer! Shuttle service back to the host hotel begins from the finish line at this time as well.
Last shuttle back to 3:00pm the host hotel from the finish line.
7:00pm
Celebration Time! Postrace party at the host hotel! Cocktail attire, so we can see how well you all clean up.
WHAT TO PACK! We know you may be a little nervous or anxious as we get closer to event day. Start packing early, especially if you're travelling from out of town. You don't want to forget something important, like running shoes (seriously, it's happened!). If you do forget something, the Heatlh & Fitness Expo will have plenty of gear for you to purchase.
ESSENTIALS
(Put these in your carry-on bag if you're flying, because you never know...) • Running shoes • Running socks • Prescription medications • Medical insurance card • Identification • Travel itinerary with confirmations and directions
OTHER USEFUL ITEMS • • • • • • • •
CLOTHING ITEMS
The morning will be chilly, but it will warm up. Bring some layers you can discard while you run -- they'll be picked up and donated to local homeless shelters. • MS Rockstars Event T (picked up at the Health & Fitness Expo) • Long sleeve shirt • Shorts • Arm warmers or knee socks • Sports bra • Gloves • Hat or visor • Throw-away long-sleeve t-shirt and sweatpants (to warm up at the start of the race and discard after) • Tights or other running pants • Warm clothes to put on a the race finish
Body Glide or Vaseline to prevent chafing Sunglasses Safety pins for your race bib Watch with the ability to take splits Sunscreen Hydration bottle holder (if you plan on using one) Fanny pack or other running belt (to hjold race fuels) Band-aids or moleskin for blisters
POSSIBLE FOOD ITEMS
You'll want to pack foods you've already used during your training runs. Don't assume you'll be able to buy specific nutrition at the race expo. • Race fuels (energy bars, gels, sport beans, or other foods you've been training with) • Snacks/breakfast foods • Sports drinks • Salt packets or tablets
ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it 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. There is currently no known cause or cure, and existing therapies are effective only for some. 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 2.5 million worldwide.
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 through our 50-state network of chapters. The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society invested over $33.5 million to support 345 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. Join the movement at nationalMSsociety.org.