On June 19, 2010 mountain bike racers will ride to raise money for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in the Zuni Mountains in McGaffey, New Mexico for the first annual 24 Hours In The Enchanted Forest: A Race To SolveCFS. Family and friends will support male, female, and co-ed solo racers, as well as teams, as they pedal their bikes continuously for 24 hours around a 16 mile looped off-road course, including 9 miles of single track trail in the trees of the Zuni Mountain, amidst the Cibola National Forest. The top three racers in each category, those completing the most laps in 24 hours, will take home a hand-etched pint mug. A portion of the proceeds from race registration, as well as additional donations collected as part of the event will benefit The CFIDS Association of America, the largest and most active charitable organization dedicated to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), which affects more Americans than multiple sclerosis (MS), AIDS or lung cancer.

High Desert Bicycles, (with locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho), Siren Bicycles, Hammer Nutrition, Cane Creek, Santa Fe Brewing, and Specialized Bikes will sponsor the event. Additional sponsorship spots can be reserved at various levels for industry as well as non-industry companies. Limited vender spots can be reserved for the event. Free camping will be available for attendees from Friday through Monday, and there will be a kid's race as well as raffles for other prizes. The first 200 registered racers will receive a goodie bag and T-shirt, and additional T-shirts and etched glassware will be available to purchase as donation packages to The CFIDS Association of America. Go to http://www.24EnchantedForest.com to register. Additional donations can be made at http://www.solvecfs.org. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the race director Lindsay Mapes at (505) 863-4228.

CFS is a complex and debilitating chronic illness that affects the brain and multiple body systems. Estimates vary, but at least one million Americans have CFS and millions more suffer worldwide. For 22 years The CFIDS Association has been at the leading edge of CFS research, advocacy, public policy, and education. Inspired by the courage and passion of volunteers, and fueled by gifts small and large from supporters committed to a vision of a world without CFS, The CFIDS Association is working to make CFS widely understood, diagnosable, curable, and preventable.

Contact:

Lindsay Mapes

Turquoise Events

(505) 863-4228

http://www.24EnchantedForest.com

http://www.solvecfs.org/