LA Marathon: Running for Charity

The Honda LA Marathon's "I Run 4 Something" campaign encourages runners and volunteers to take on the challenge of raising money for charity.

Lupus LA and Concern Foundation are two official LA Marathon charities that raised donations through Sunday's race. Both were stationed on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills during the event.

On Rodeo Drive at Brighton Way, Lupus LA was cheering on racers passing through the Golden Triangle shopping district.

"We're a nonprofit that provides lupus services, funds lupus research for better treatments and a cure, and provides outreach to increase awareness about lupus," said Matt Durkan, executive director at Lupus LA. "We are sponsored [at the LA Marathon] by the Beverly Hills Rotary charity and Club Interact from ."

Durkan said the organization had more than 100 runners in the LA Marathon and LA Big 5K, the warm-up run the day before the main race. He said that Lupus LA had a donation goal of $60,000, which it exceeded.

Former Beverly Hills Mayor Les Bronte, past president and current vice president of the , serves as the liaison for Club Interact, the Rotary's extension at BHHS.

"They do community projects," Bronte said of Club Interact. "This project happens to be Lupus LA and I'm so proud of what they're doing. We have almost 30 kids here that are involved."

As the president of Club Interact, BHHS senior said the high school group was not only stationed on Rodeo Drive at mile 17 of the marathon to cheer on race participants, but mile 16 near City Hall as well.

"We feel it's important to get involved," Schwartz said of the club's voluntary efforts. "We are willing to pledge our support and we are happy we're out here today."

Added Schwartz, "I'm very happy it didn't rain."

John Carroll, board member and director of Concern Foundation, was with the group's volunteers on Rodeo Drive at Little Santa Monica Boulevard cheering on race participants and handing out water. He said 30 people were running for the nonprofit, which raises funds to support cancer research.

"We raised $100,000 this year—and still counting," Carroll said of the organization's charity efforts at the marathon. "We’re very happy to be out here to support Concern, support cancer research and to support the LA Marathon."

To donate to Lupus LA, click here.

To donate to Concern Foundation, click here.

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