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Hitting The Pavement To Help Cure Cancer

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hitting the pavement to help cure cancer is the goal.

The Maryland Half Marathon is less than two weeks away.

Andrea Fujii explains anyone can participate.

It's 13.1 miles for a good cause.

"Most of my races are cause driven. There's a purpose for running," said Carl Womack, cancer survivor.

The purpose for runner Carl Womack is to cure cancer.

Last July, doctors removed a five centimeter tumor from his stomach, but that hasn't stopped him from competing.

"Clears my mindset. And secondly, health issues and I've been running since the seventh-grade," said Womack.

Womack is one of more than 2,000 people expected to run in the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center's Half Marathon.

"The goal is to participate, the goal is to help raise funds for the center and so there's every range of runners," said Dr. Kevin Cullen, Greenebaum Cancer Center.

It's the third year for the event. This year it will be in Howard County. Since 2009, the event has raised $450,000 for cancer research.

"One of the treatments that was developed here at this center has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer and is in use around the world," said Cullen.

Whether cancer survivor, advanced runner, or someone just hoping for a cure, every foot that hits the pavement will help save lives.

"I plan on if not this week, then next week, running my personal best than I have," said Womack.

WJZ is a proud sponsor of the Maryland Half Marathon as part of our Continuing Community Commitment.

To sign up or donate, click here.

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