PLEASE NOTE: We have changed our format to a 4-Mile Run/Walk.

The 4th Annual Jefferson H. Ridgdill “Run to the Sun” Memorial 4-Mile Run/Walk will be held Saturday, November 28th, on Thanksgiving weekend. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and take place at Riverside Park in beautiful New Smyrna Beach.. The unique route will cross 2 bridges as we will make a loop, crossing over the North Causeway and South Causeways. Awards presented for overall male/female  (1st, 2nd, & 3rd) and 1st, 2nd, 3rd category finishers. A Bamahas cruise & hotel vacation for two will be awarded to the top male and top female finisher which is valued at over $1,000.

We are proud to have raised over $20,000 in our first 3 years for local charities in memory of Jeff. Everyone is welcome to walk or run and support this year's wonderful cause, the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Funds raised for the MDA will go directly to Duchenne's MD research. Long time friend, Dana Smith, had both of her boys, under the age of 6, diagnosed with this devastating disease. Because of her story, we are compelled to help her boys and all children who suffer from Duchenne's MD. Please read her story below...

As our son grew we noticed he was having difficulty walking more than a few feet and walked only on his toes. He had larger calves than most children his age and couldn't keep up with them when running.  We took him to the pediatrician, who said he was just a little behind, he would catch up or grow out of it, so not to worry.   We attended months of physical therapy for flat feet but with no improvement.

At five, we finally found a specialist that gave us the proper diagnosis…Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  With Duchenne’s, we are told his muscles will die and not regenerate.  He will be in a wheel chair by age 12 and historically DMD boys do not survive their teens.  We found out DMD is the leading genetic killer of children and that two boys die of DMD every day. My husband, Jeff, and I both scream and cry in frustration as to why so many people haven’t heard about Duchenne before and ask ourselves “what can we do?”

This is the story of many families. Unfortunately, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease and for many families like ours there is more than one son with the disease.  Rowan, our second son, was diagnosed with the DMD a few months after Noah. 

As parents we find relief in knowing there are organizations that we can support whole heartedly and hope that you will too  The Muscular Dystrophy Association has allowed us to earmark any monies we raise to funnel directly into current Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. It has become our mission and the mission of MDA to give our boys the best life possible and that includes trying to cure this debilitating disease. Thank you for supporting the Run to the Sun this year and for helping all children suffering from DMD. We look forward to seeing you there!

- Dana Smith, Mother of Noah and Rowan

The boys enjoy the Fire Truck during the MDA Boot Drive. Noah, left & Rowan, on right

MDA is a voluntary health agency founded in 1950 by adults with neuromuscular diseases and parents of children with these disorders. A fundraising organization recognized by the American Medical Association "for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity," MDA is working to defeat muscle-wasting diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, professional and public health education, and advocacy. You can learn more about the MDA by visiting www.mda.org.