4/22/2009 5:00:00 AM
'Amazing Race' host bikes through area for MS
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| Photo courtesy of nationalmssociety.org
Phil Keoghan hoists his bike above his head in California as he gets ready to embark on his Ride Across America.
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BY KIRK DOUGAL
Times Bulletin Editor
kdougal@timesbulletin.com
The face is familiar and to more than 10 million viewers each week, so is the name.
Phil Keoghan is the host of the award-winning reality show, "The Amazing Race," which has just been renewed for a 16th season by CBS. The show has swept the reality show categories since its inception in 1993, including 11 Emmys, but that does not mean Keoghan is taking it easy. In fact, people in the Van Wert area are about to see exactly how hard he is working.
Keoghan is in the middle of a 42-day cross country bicycle ride across America and along the way is raising money - and awareness - for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. By going to his website at www.philridesacrossamerica.com, people can register donations for his trip through their area and he hopes to be able to raise at least one million dollars for the cause. On Monday, April 27, he will be traveling through Van Wert County on his way from Ft. Wayne to Lima.
"Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. Or that you may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike," said Keoghan. "I want to do something for people who are living with MS and because I want to do everything to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease."
Keoghan will cycle over 3,500 miles by averaging 100 miles per day in a six to seven hour period. But he does not want to make the ride alone. By going to the website, people can register to ride with him for stretches along the way. He talks with the other riders as they pedal along, spreading the word about MS. He encourages everyone whether they have a family member or a friend with MS, or are just a fan of the show, to sign up to ride with him in Van Wert on April 27 and join him in his ride across America.
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