Six marathons in six days: Bristol woman raises money for multiple sclerosis

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — A Fall River Public Schools teacher and Bristol native ran six marathons in six days to raise money for multiple sclerosis.

21 runners from across the country were chosen for the MS Run for US relay, which spans from California to New York City.

Bristol native Renae Cicchinelli is no stranger to marathons, having run 27 in the past, but the MS Run for US relay was different.

“My uncle has MS, and so, I wanted to do something not just for myself, but for others,” Renae said.

She was chosen to run 153 miles over the course of six days, from Ohio to Pennsylvania, to raise money for multiple sclerosis.

“It’s a neurological disorder… the synapsis isn’t connecting, the connection between the brain and what you want it to do is a slower connection, and its a degenerative disease,” Renae said.

After getting hundreds of miles of training under her belt, Renae made her trip to Ohio, starting her 153 mile journey on July 29.

As she ran through the hills, humidity, and high temps, she had an important reminder to keep going.

“I was exhausted throughout, but at the end, I get to take a break,” Renae said. “Whereas people with MS, its a battle that they’re having to push through every day.”

On day four, she had a moment she will never forget.

“[A woman] rolled down her window and just said, ‘You know, I think what you guys are doing is awesome, and I’ve had MS for 20 years,'” she said. “It was really inspiring, you know, to hear that right before I started.”

After six days, she completed her race on August 3.

“You just meet people along the way and you hear their stories, and they inspire you, you’re inspiring them… its definitely changed my life,” Renae said.

Even though her race has been completed, she still needs to raise $2,000 to reach her goal of $10,000.

“I know I’m gonna make it there, I know that I’m gonna hit it, because I don’t ever quit before I do,” she said.

Anyone interesting in donating can visit Renae’s fundraising page here.