Join Team Mitchell & Zane for Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford

The 16th annual Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford, a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run/walk and kids' fun run, is Aug. 16 in downtown Rockford.

Proceeds from the benefit go to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, a non-profit dedicated to expediting viable treatments and a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs those stricken with the disease of their muscle strength.

Join Team Mitchell & Zane, which includes Eric Zane of "The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show" and Rockford-based Wolverine World Wide Inc. and Walker-based Meijer Inc., for the benefit run/walk. Anyone raising $100 or more is eligible to win a footwear package from Saucony and Merrell with a $300 value; and anyone raising at least $30 in pledges receives a gift from Wolverine World Wide.

Mitchell Peterson and Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford

Mitchell Peterson is an 18-year-old Rockford High School graduate diagnosed 15 years ago with degenerative Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. (Photo: Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford)

Mitchell Peterson, 18, of Rockford, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) just before his third birthday.

The son of Steve and Sandy Peterson, Mitchell graduated from Rockford High School and this fall is planning to attend Calvin College in Grand Rapids.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most lethal form of Muscular Dystrophy, genetic diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion and movement.

With Muscular Dystrophy, the muscle fibers become unusually susceptible to damage and the damaged muscles become progressively weaker. Most people who have Muscular Dystrophy eventually need to use a wheelchair.

Over the past 15 years, Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford has had more than 10,000 participants and 1,000 volunteers, raising more than $825,000.

Team Mitchell & Zane

Eric Zane of "The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show."

By taking part in Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford with Team Mitchell & Zane, participants become eligible to win the $300 package from Saucony and Merrell.

One entry is submitted for each $100 raised, with a drawing by Peterson and Zane at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford registration tent at Rockford Footwear Depot.

In addition, anyone raising at least $30 in pledges receives one of these goodies from Wolverine World Wide:

Raise at least $100 in pledges and get either a Merrell stacked logo t-shirt in white or Merrell fade t-shirt in ultra for men; or a Merrell LS Wave Tee in white or LS Wave Tee in shadow for women.
Raise at least $50 in pledges and get either a black Aston Cap for men or a Tapi Infinity Scarf in Alberta for women.
Raise at least $30 in pledges and get either a pair of Allout Nanoglide men's socks in sidewalk or a pair of Siren Sport women's socks in open blue.

To join Team Mitchell & Zane, register for Mitchell's Run Thru Rockford online or at Rockford Footwear Depot, 235 N. Main St. in Rockford, and also create a support page for Team Mitchell & Zane.