Hundreds of walkers will pound the pavement Saturday to raise money for Schoharie County cancer patients.
It's the 14th Marathon for a Better Life, expected to raise thousands to ease the worries of patients and their families.
Starting at 10am, teams of walkers will circle the Champlin Hall parking lot at SUNY Cobleskill. They'll continue all day, winding up with a closing ceremony at 9pm.
The Marathon still lives up to its name of putting every cent raised towards helping cancer patients. They can use the money for any purpose: Food, utility bills, transportation, medicine, whatever.
"It's still as easy as it ever was," said Marathon President Cherie Stevens. "You have to live in Schoharie County and be fighting cancer. Just ask."
The Marathon Committee fulfilled more than 150 requests last year, Ms. Stevens said.
Irene and Lee affected just about everybody and everything in Schoharie County, and cancer patients in need weren't an exception.
"Patients who were hit by the flood may not have asked for help before," Ms. Stevens said. "Before, they could make ends meet. Now they can't."
With the local economy hurt by both the recession and flooding, Ms. Stevens realizes that the Marathon may not raise as much as in the past.
Then again. . .
"It's amazing that in hard times, people gather together even more," she said. "Whatever we make is wonderful. But we're all cognizant that this year may be tough."
Saturday's event may be a fundraiser, but it's also a time of support for cancer patients.
The Marathon will begin with a survivors' lap and then a caregivers' lap before all the teams join in.
"It's more than awareness and fundraising," Ms. Stevens said. "It's a support system so that people with cancer know they're not alone."
There will be music all day, with DJs Erician Brizzee and Brian Garreau and the bands Feeling Country, Shakey Ground and Kopy Kats on board.
There will also be a book sale, silent auction, face painting, massage therapy, pie throwing and more, including kids' activities from noon to 2pm.
Wes Edwards will give the opening prayer, and the Reverend Jared Van Wagenen will give the closing message during a luminaria ceremony.
Forty-three teams have signed up so far, and there's still time to do so. Anyone interested can call 291-9238 or pick up a packet at Stella Motors or Sears.
"The interesting thing this year is that we have a number of youth teams," Ms. Stevens said.
"That's wonderful. It's teaching kids what it means to be part of a community and to give back."
Although it's a one-day event, the Marathon--and help for patients--goes on all year. Besides Ms. Stevens, directors are Holly Hauser, Christina Brizzee, Mina Stella, Nancy Becker, Dawn Schell, Todd Brizzee, Kim Law, Kathy Diamond, Beth Wood, Penny Lushkevich, Andy Diamond, Veronica Diamond and Sue Makely.
"We have an incredible, dedicated working group," Ms. Stevens said. "I couldn't be more proud of them."