Marathoner Attempting 200-Mile Central Park Run To Raise Money For Rare Blood Cancer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Chappaqua man who lost a friend to a rare cancer is attempting to do something extraordinary to raise money in her memory.

Eric Gelber plans to run Central Park's six-mile loop 33 times this weekend.

"The whole point, right, is to make an impact and do something extreme," he told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.

The 49-year-old real estate executive has been running since 2007, when he ran the New York City Marathon after watching his friend Anita struggle with multiple myeloma.

"It's a rare blood cancer and there's no cure," he said. "I gave her my medal and she used to wear it when she was in chemo treatments and she told me that when I ran, she could feel the medicine going straight into her veins."

His goal is to raise at least $250,000 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation during his grueling two-and-half day run, which would bring his total fundraising efforts to the $1 million mark.

Gelber got close to his 200-mile Central Park goal twice before his legs gave out. He's inviting people all weekend to join him on his journey.

"The money will come, that is part of the goal obviously, but to me, it's more about building a community of people to fight this battle," he said.

The run began Friday at 8 a.m. at Engineers' Gate on 90th Street and Fifth Avenue and goes until Sunday. To register or to donate, visit themmrf.org/thejourney.