Motorcycle Runner
Noted Moto-Journalist Paul Carruthers will compete in the 114th running of the Boston Marathon on April 19, and has dedicated his efforts to raising funds for Rett Syndrome.
Carruthers is known nationwide among motorcycle enthusiasts due to his 25 years as a journalist, during which he has created a number of magazine titles. In addition to being the longtime editor of Cycle News, America’s Weekly Motorcycle Newspaper, he is also a highly respected, life-long industry insider and the son of 250cc GP World Champion Kel Carruthers.
Boston is the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon and part of the World Marathon Majors. Its maximum field of 25,000 participants is decided by qualifying times secured at a certified marathon in the prior year. Carruthers earned his entry by his performance in the San Diego Marathon last spring, running a 3:30 overall time. Carruthers and his son Kyle are both avid runners, with Kyle set to enter collegiate cross country next season on an athletic scholarship.
Carruthers has dedicated his running in the Boston Marathon to raise funds to find a cure for Rett Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that is the most disabling of the autism spectrum disorders. Rett Syndrome often strikes just after girls have learned to walk and say a few words, and begins to drag their development backward. Rett Syndrome steals the girl’s speech, hand function and motor control, leaving its victims profoundly disabled and requiring total assistance with every aspect of daily living.
There is no treatment beyond supportive measures such as feeding tubes, orthopedic surgeries and medications for seizures. First recognized 25 years ago, the prevalence of Rett Syndrome equals that of Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s and ALS, but its research is vastly under-funded in comparison to those disorders.
Carruthers first learned about Rett Syndrome after meeting Emma Foley, who turned 6-years old a few months ago. After hearing her story, he was inspired to act and has dedicated his race to running for Rett, running for Emma and all the girls with Rett Syndrome.
"After hearing of Emma’s story from her father, I thought there had to be something I could do to help," Carruthers said. "When I qualified for Boston, I thought it was an event that was worthy enough to make an impact and raise some money for Emma, her family and all the families touched by Rett Syndrome."
A fundraiser has been established where friends, associates and other dedicated individuals can pledge funds through Carruthers’ effort for research into finding a cure for Rett Syndrome. Please visit www.emmafoley.com to make a pledge in support of Carruthers’ race and Rett Syndrome research.
