FULTON, Md. (WJZ)—With the Maryland Half Marathon just a few weeks away, runners are getting ready.

Monique Griego has more on how one local doctor isn’t letting distance get in the way of taking part in an important race.

It takes a lot of leg work to keep up with the crowd, so as the 2012 Maryland Half Marathon approaches, conditioning is a key concern for Dr. Michael Donnenberg.

“I’ve been a participant in all three of them, and I didn’t want to miss this one,” he said.

All the proceeds from the race benefit the Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, a cause that’s very important to Donnenberg.

“Last year there were about 2,000 participants, and over the three years have raised about $750,000 to fight cancer,” Donnenberg said.

So when he found out he’d be an ocean away on race day, instead of bowing out, he got creative.

“This year I’m going to be running my own half marathon in Amsterdam,” Donnenberg said.

So as marathoners in Maryland get going, Donnenberg will be running right along with them.

“My wife is going to be there with me and she’ll be going along on a bicycle and taking some video and I’ll have my GPS watch,” Donnenberg said.

As a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Donnenberg knows how important funding is to fighting disease and finding cures. He hopes his dedication will encourage others to run in the race or at least run to their computer.

“It’s a really great cause and really easy to contribute,” Donnenberg said. “And you can help a really great institution fight cancer.”

The marathon is being held May 6 at the Maple Lawn Community in Fulton, Md. Click here for a link to where you can donate.