Red Cross Volunteers Touched By Bombing, Train For Boston Marathon
BOSTON (CBS) ---In Saturday's nice weather, the training came easier for Boston Marathon teams, including one raising money for The American Red Cross.
Although the runners have different reasons for taking part, their goal is the same.
Red Cross volunteer Deborah Spirio was nearing the finish line when tragedy struck.
"I was just so shocked by the turmoil that happened in the city all during that week. I just knew I had to come back in the memory of all of those who were hurt and harmed," she said.
The 60-member team is trying to raise $225,000 this year. It will continue the organization's work which dates back four decades with the Boston Marathon.
"We will have 400 first aid medically trained staff and volunteers on the course of the route," Kat Powers of the Red Cross said. "After the bombs went off, we changed out focus and moved from being a first aid organization to being part of the disaster relief."
Many of the runners who took part in the 15-mile training run never thought they'd do a marathon.
Nurse Laura Lux is running for one of her patients, a bombing victim.
"After taking care of him and seeing what he's gone through and what he continues to go through, I think that running 26.2 miles is nothing compared to that. I feel like I just have to do it for him," she said.
The 118th running of the Boston Marathon is Monday, April 21. WBZ is the only place you'll see live coverage of the race.
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON