TORONTO, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - They're flocking to Toronto from all corners of the globe... approximately 12,000 runners from 30 countries and 40 American states, coming to compete in the Scotia Bank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on September 30th.

It's more than just a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. It's Canada's fastest, flattest run...the first Canadian marathon to be covered Live, on both television (CBC Country Canada)...and on the internet at cbcsports.ca. Needless to say, many of these runners are world-class athletes, including Toronto's own Lynn Kobayashi.

26 years ago, she quit smoking and joined the Terry Fox run for cancer research.

Today, the 51 year old owns the 30 K Canadian record in her age group, finishing first in the 50-54 category in the 2006 Chicago Marathon, and third amongst her peers in this year's Boston Marathon.

On September 30th, she'll run in the Half Marathon category, and like Terry Fox before her, Kobayashi is on a mission...to raise money, and awareness for the Philip Aziz Centre, a non-profit home hospice, providing practical, physical, emotional, and spiritual support for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life threatening illnesses.

As the mother of a child diagnosed with retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina) Kobayashi understands the important role of trained volunteers who provide the time, compassion, and commitment necessary to make the journey of a patient with a serious illness more manageable and meaningful.

Says Kobayashi, "I've learned to pick and choose where I donate time and money. Meeting the volunteers and staff of the Phillip Aziz Centre convinced me that they have the world-class passion for this profound cause and work ethic necessary to turn their good intentions into outstanding results."

You can help! If you would like to join Lynn Kobayashi's quest to make the Philip Aziz Centre the top fund raising group at the upcoming Scotia Bank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, September 30th...the time to act is now.

Runners and Walkers are needed! If you're a runner...or a walker...and you'd like to participate, you can join the Philip Aziz Centre (PAC) Team by registering for the Marathon, the Half Marathon, or the 5k run/walk through their website: www.philipazizcentre.ca

The Philip Aziz Centre is a registered charity, and corporate help and donations are always welcome.

For further information: If you, or your company would like to sponsor a runner, or to volunteer at the Philip Aziz Centre water station, call (416) 363-9196, or email Don Pangman, dcpimpact@sympatico.ca.

Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest