Over the weekend of June 10-13, 2011, 30 members of Team Murnane Brandt participated in Minnesota – Bike MS 150.  The team included Murnane staff, associates, partners, clients, families and other friends. While most of our riders were from the Twin Cities, one rider traveled from Missoula, MT, another from Chicago, and seven from Wisconsin. The team spent months fundraising and training for the two day, 150 mile ride from Duluth to the Twin Cities. In just our second year as a team, we nearly tripled our contributions to the National MS Society, raising more than $29,000!

A new addition for this year’s fundraising effort was a silent auction at the firm. The auction donations from Murnane Brandt employees and business partners included many creative activities and handmade items. The auction generated lots of enthusiasm and contributions totaling $3,000.

The entire Minnesota MS 150 event included nearly 3,500 riders who raised $2.7 million for medical research, support programs and services for people living with multiple sclerosis here in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

On Friday, June 10, Team Murnane bussed to Duluth, shared a pasta buffet at Grandma’s Sports Garden, and stayed at the Comfort Suites on Canal Park. Early Saturday morning, we bussed up the hill to begin the ride from Proctor High School at 6:00 am! Our ‘speed division’ arrived in Hinckley long before noon, and cheered as the rest of the team finished during the afternoon. The weather was perfect: cool, a little overcast during the ride, a slight tail wind and no rain; and full sun once the ride was over and we relaxed on the deck of our B&B to retell stories about the day’s ride.

The sunrise Sunday morning was beautiful and we started out in 50 degree weather on the back roads of Pine County, eventually climbing the only hard hill on the ride just before the finish line at Century College in White Bear Lake. Fifteen members of the team rode the last leg and celebrated the two day event by crossing the finish together.

Several of the new recruits immediately proceeded back inside the school to register for next year’s ride. All signs point to the MS 150 becoming an annual event for Murnane Brandt. If you would like more information about our team and the ride, please contact Andy Shern or Sue Pearson.