Christmas Eve Run & Ride Brings Bikes to Kids in Need

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Üma Kleppinger, GoLocalPDX Contributor

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Join the Ferguson-Murphy Run on Christmas Eve and help support getting bikes to underprivileged kids.

Join the 40th Annual Ferguson-Murphy Run and Bike Ride on Christmas Eve and help kids in need get their first bike for Christmas.

Many cyclists and runners with time off this week look for a fun run or ride to take advantage of the extra free time. The Ferguson-Murphy Run and Ride is an event that benefits the both the event participants as well as the kids receiving bikes as holiday gifts.

The tradition began nearly 40 years ago as an early-morning run to celebrate the holidays and this year the run welcomes cyclists as well. Proceeds raised from run fees and sales of tee-shirts, as well as charitable donations go toward buying bikes for kids. The organizers have partnered with Bike Gallery to provide and assemble the bikes.

LifeWorks NW is handling registration and helping to coordinate getting the bikes to kids on Christmas Day. Registration fees include a t-shirt and continental breakfast after the event.

The event starts at 6:15 a.m. at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Participants are advised to be aware that streets will not be closed for this event; runners and riders should follow the rules of the road and obey traffic signals. Preregistration is required. Today is the last day for online registration.

Can't run or ride, but want to be a part of making some kid fantastically happy this Christmas? Donations are accepted in any amount on the registration web page.

When: December 24, 2014 6:15 a.m.
Where: Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon, Portland

Üma Kleppinger is a Portland-based copy writer, author and bike addict. A recovering sesquipedalian who blogs about life in the saddle and outdoor adventure, she is also the author of Bike Yoga, a flexibility and recovery program for cyclists. When not writing, she can be found riding and racing her mountain bike throughout the Pacific Northwest. If you have cycling-related news to share, events to promote, or deep thoughts about anything bikey, send her a nice email.

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