Runners are getting ready for a big race Sunday in Sullivan County. It's a half-marathon course that our Christian Farrell reports has become quite popular with those who have a history of cancer or a loved one with a history of cancer.

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ROCK HILL, N.Y. – Runners are getting ready for one of the biggest road races of the year in Sullivan County. Myriam Loor is the race director for Sunday's Celebrate Life Half Marathon.
"Now we are over 700," said Loor.

700 is the number of runners who'll lace up their sneakers to compete in the 10th anniversary running of the 13.1 mile course. The field of runners has nearly quadrupled in size since the first year. Loor attributes that to what the race truly represents, those who've fought against cancer.

"They're running for a reason. They're running for a cause," said Loor.

In addition to that, all race proceeds go to help cancer patients currently in treatment. Alexis Bivins, 15 of Monticello, is one of this year's recipients.

"When you think of cancer, you think of dying. I didn't want to look at it as dying. I looked at it as a new experience, a new adventure to go through. Instead of just something bad," said Bivins.

It began as a mostly local race, but now attracts runners from all over the country, many who have story to tell about their experience with cancer. Loor is a cancer survivor herself. She's actually authored a book about her life after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma about a decade ago.

"I was always afraid of cancer. I didn't want to talk to anyone who had it, almost like it was contagious. Now, I reach out to them," said Loor.

"Just recently, my daughter they thought had cervical cancer. She survived that, went through a lot of tests. So, that also now pushes me one step farther to make sure I do it," said runner Joe Marchesano of Harriman.

Ruth Morrow traveled all the way from Texas to run.

"It makes me want to do runs that actually celebrate people," said Morrow.
It’s an inspiring race, run by many with inspiring stories.