Proud to be from Pittsburgh: Marathon charity runners

PITTSBURGH — When runners hit the streets of Pittsburgh Sunday for the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, 2,500 people will be doing it to raise more than $1 million for charities.   

Hannah Camic, a teacher at Bethel Park High School, is one of the marathon participants running for a good cause.

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Camic laces up her running shoes and hits the street four days a week, running as many as 20 miles -- in all sorts of weather. She's readying her body and mind for the rigors of the Pittsburgh Marathon.

"I've put in a lot of training, a lot of time, so I'm feeling ready," Camic told Channel 11's Peggy Finnegan.

She also spends three hours a day in breathing treatments, believed to be the only athlete with cystic fibrosis running the full 26 miles.

"Breathing can be difficult at times," explained Camic. "You never know how you're going to feel when you wake up."

Running the marathon is an ambitious goal for someone who has trouble breathing. 

"Hopefully people can just see whatever the battle is, whatever the hardship is, they can overcome it," said Camic. 

She said the running helps her breathing. 

"With CF, your lungs and airways are closed off by very thick mucus," said Camic. "When I pound the pavement and I am running, and I'm getting that aerobic exercise, it's breaking that up and helping to keep my lungs healthy."

Camic is part of the Run to Cure CF team, raising awareness and funding for research.

She planned to run last year, but her CF put her in the hospital instead.

"It's tough for everyone at times, but if you just think positive and you just give it your all, anything is possible," she said. "If I can go run a marathon, then I'm the boss, not CF."

The marathon motivation of Camic and all the other charity runners makes Channel 11 proud to be from Pittsburgh.

Camic and her teammates on the Run to Cure CF team have already raised more than $90,000. If you would like to help them in the fight against CF, or see the other charities represented during the marathon, CLICK HERE.

WPXI