Clark raises $19,000-plus in ride for MS

Clark’s team has raised nearly $275k

After bicycling for 156 miles, former Mt. Morris resident Karen Clark almost reached her goal of raising $20,000 to battle multiple sclerosis.

Karen Clark, the daughter, of Joanne (Nelson) Miller and William (Kathy) Clark, all of Mt. Morris, celebrated her 49th birthday by riding in the  annual Bike MS: City to Shore Ride sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

At more than $19,000 so far, Clark was her team’s second top fundraiser for the second year in a row, and fourth overall out of more than 7,000 bicyclists who took part in the ride from Cherry Hill, N.J. to Ocean city, N.J., and back on Sept. 25 and 26.

She will be raising funds for MS research until Oct. 26.

Anyone wishing to donate is asked to contact her father Bill Clark at 314 Emily St., Mt. Morris, IL 61054, or call 815-734-4301.

Checks should be made out to the National MS Society.

On the ride, Clark carried a personal letter filled with the names of those who have lived or are living with MS.

The names were shared by sponsors and friends.

“The letter made the ride so much more personal by all the stories and thoughts shared,” she said.

The cyclists taking part ranged in age from 10 to 85 and raised more than $5 million this year.

“One of my highlights was cycling with Lan Yin Tsai, who at 85, is the oldest member cycling,” Clark said. “Lan Yin had ridden for 27 years and wears a dress and pumps each year, and is riding on her old-fashioned one-speed bicycle.”

“I rode and talked with Lan Yin for six miles in the last 20 miles on the second day. One of her daughters was in a car close behind her with hazards (lights) on, making sure she was OK.”

Many cyclists rode beside Clark and asked about her low number — 13.

The number was given to her because of the $11,000 she raised last year.

In next year’s race Clark will wear number 4.

Clark’s team Team Tania has raised almost $275,000 for MS, and is the largest friends and family team across the U.S.