24-Hour Marathon Along Schuylkill Aims To Get Homeless Back On Their Feet
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia this weekend, it's all about pounding the pavement to help give the homeless a running start.
Ultrarunning is not for the faint of heart -- or legs -- but that's what hundreds of strong-willed souls will be doing in a 24-hour race ending at 10 on Sunday morning.
"People run for the whole time, which is just crazy!" says Anne Mahlum, head of Back on My Feet.
"Our winners last year did 146 miles for the males and the female winner did 125 miles. We started adding in other races during that time, so there's something for everybody: we have a relay race, which is teams of five running a loop. They can choose a different category based on their level of fitness."
Mahlum says the 20in24 Challenge is the main fundraiser for the non-profit, which helps homeless with an organized running regimen that pays off with education, job training, and housing.
"We really believe in a healthy body and healthy mind."
You can get in on the action tonight with the Midnight Madness Race, a glow-in-the dark run along the 8.4-mile Schuylkill River Loop. There's also the Pajama Loop, a rise-and-shine run at 6am on Sunday -- in your PJs -- all starting from Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row.
For details, go to www.20in24.com.
Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio
