While researchers know relatively little about the causes behind sporadic ALS, there is evidence that some groups of people may be at increased risk of the disease. The biological mechanisms that could cause one group to be more at risk than another, however, remain a mystery. To learn more about the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors that could contribute to ALS risk, the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, and Answer ALS announced the Champion Insights Study in August 2025.

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is proud to announce that it will lead all research operations for Champion Insights—a new study planned to launch this fall in partnership with Answer ALS and Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. This effort aims to uncover critical genetic and metabolic factors that may help explain the significantly higher incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among endurance athletes, military service members, and other potentially high-risk groups.

In the months leading up to the 2026 Tri-State Trek, we will be publishing perspectives some of the event's most dedicated supporters about why they ride and what the Trek means to them. Today, we're featuring a letter from Liz Coccio of the team HAS Mamas.