EAST BUFFALO TOWNSHIP -- A man from Lycoming County is putting his running skills to the test this weekend at Lewisburg's Relay for Life.
Relay for Life events are happening all over our area, but the one near Lewisburg is unique because this man is attempting a big challenge.
Ron Ott of Elimsport is trying to run 100 miles in 24 hours.
"It's more mental than it is physical. I don't do a lot of training, which I know is not correct, but the hardest part is just staying awake for the 24 hours," Ott said.
Most participants take turns walking around the track, but not Ron. He stays out, rain or shine, barely taking a break. He says he does this because people with cancer face challenges every day.
"They have good days and bad days. This is a challenging day for me. It may be good, it may be bad. It's raining now, but you just have to go with it just like people with cancer, just like people with cancer deal with things every day in their lives," Ott said.
This is the third straight year for Ron's 100 mile run. He says last year it took him all 24 hours to complete it.
"Right now I'm trying to build up the miles now because I know in the middle of the night I'm going to slow down, so I'm trying to get five, six miles per hour now," Ott said.
Ron's mother Mary Ann says the Lewisburg Relay for Life is a family affair.
"That's what you need when you do this kind of stuff: family," Mary Ann said.
"Just kind of keeping track of his laps here and putting them up on the board behind us. Helping him keep track of where he's at," Joshua Burleigh said.
Some of Ron's family members even run with him at times.
"Because it exercises me. And it's for a good cause, right? Yeah," Nick Delany said.
Ron's family says after the 24 hours are up, he will be doing a lot of sitting down!
If you want to cheer him on, head to the Pawling Athletic Complex at the Lewisburg Middle School. Relay for Life lasts until Saturday at 1 p.m.