Roughly 170 miles separate the city of Vernal, in Utah, and Steamboat Springs, Colo. Even in a car, that’s healthy distance to cover.

Which makes Clark Gilbert’s upcoming journey even that much more… breath taking?

Gilbert, co-founder of the annual San Juan Island marathon and consider by many to be the dean of island long-distance running, will hit the road near Vernal May 24 as part of the coast-to-coast U.S. Relay Multiple Sclerosis Run. Seven days and 163 miles later, he expects to tromp into Colorado Springs to complete segment No. 6 of the coast-to-coast relay and fundraising run.

Covering that amount of distance is nearly equivalent to running a seven marathons, seven days in a row. The relay ends in September, and Gilbert hopes to raise $10,000 to donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for its ongoing research and education of the disease.

As part of the fundraising effort, San Juan Vineyards Piano and Wine Bar, 55 Spring Street, will host a wine tasting event, Thursday, May 16, 5-7 p.m. Two glasses of win and appetizers are included along with admission, $10; proceeds will go to further multiple sclerosis research and education.

Donations can also be submitted online, at, http://www.msruntheus.com/clarkgilbert/; or addressed to MS Run the US, and mailed to P.O. Box 3198, WA 98250.

— Scott Rasmussen