Ryan’s Run set for May 20 at Spa State Park

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.>> Organizers are hoping the upcoming 11th annual Ryan’s Run will be their largest, most successful race to date.

The 5K is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Saratoga Spa State Park, starting near the warming hut. This year’s goal is to attract 250 participants.

This annual race is held in memory of Ryan Wersten of Wilton, who lived for only six months after being diagnosed with malignant infantile osteopetrosis (MIOP).

Competitive racers and runners of all levels and ages are welcome to run or walk to find a cure for (MIOP), a genetic bone disease.

The race fee is $30, but for those who register by May 16, the cost is $25. Registration includes professional chip timing and stay-dry shirts for the first 200 registrants.

Participants can register at www.zippyreg.com or on race day beginning at 7:45 AM at the park.

“We have been touched by the many runners, families, and friends who have stepped up to help our cause,” explained Paul Wersten, Ryan’s father, in a press release. “The support from the community has been phenomenal and we hope this year to attract a record number of runners and sponsors.”

New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner will provide opening remarks at this familyfriendly 5K event, which features music, food and a raffle of products donated by local vendors.

All proceeds benefit the Ryan Wersten MIOP Foundation. Ryan’s parents, Barbara and Paul Wersten, started the foundation to help raise funds to support MIOP research aimed at finding an alternate cure to the current treatment, which carries significant risks to infants. The foundation also supports families whose children are affected by MIOP. Children affected by this genetic disease lack the natural ability to break down bone in their body. As a result, their bones continue to build up causing fractured bones, blindness, deafness and ultimately death.

“Our mission is to find alternate cure to make a MIOP diagnosis a nonevent for families,” added Barbara Wersten, Ryan’s mother, in the release. “We hope to someday prevent families from having to go through what we did.”

For more information, to register, or to make a donation, visit www.curemiop. org.