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Running For 24 Hours In Philly For Good Cause

By Marcy Norton

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Runners will be limbering up this morning getting ready for the annual Stroehmann "Back on my Feet in24" race challenge to combat homelessness.

About 1,000 runners are registered for four planned events, including an ultramarathon, a midnight glow in the dark run, relays and a 5k -- all to benefit "Back on my Feet" which offers job and housing services to homeless Philadelphians who join the running group.

Carrie Davis picked up her race bib Friday:

"It supports growth and stability and justice here in Philadelphia, a city that we live and work in, so that's really important to me."

Back on my Feet in24
Runners pick up their bibs at Philadelphia Runner on Sansom Street in Center City (credit: Marcy Norton)

Executive director Katherine Sanderson says this year's race is the biggest yet:

"It's gotten bigger and bigger each year. I think that it's definitely grown in the reach too. We have people that come from all over the country, some people that even come from outside the United States to attend the ultra marathon."

Saleema Jones of Cherry Hill is racing for the second time. She says she's motivated in two ways:

"One, the exercise, and you know you're doing something worthwhile that's helping an organization help other people."

The event steps off at 10 a.m. at the Schuylkill River running loop and continues all night and into Sunday.

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