Best Friends Train For United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, Raise $10K For Foundation

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- More than 20,000 runners from all over the world will take over the streets of Manhattan Sunday for the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon.

WCBS 880's Marla Diamond spoke with two first time runners who are inspiring each other to go the distance.

Three years ago, Mara Schlanger suffered a foot injury that nearly stole her ability to walk.

"I didn't think I was going to be able to run ever again. But by some miracle, I got back to it," she said.

Inspired by Schlanger's recovery, best friend Jennifer Forrest began training with her for the half marathon.

"It sort of became a personal goal of mine to run a race. I haven't run a race before," Forrest said.

Forrest also wanted to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

"My dad had been diagnosed with Myeloma nine and a half years ago," she said.

Neil Forrest, who hoped to cheer his daughter on, died on Feb. 12.

"He was so, so excited about it that to me there would be no way I could not run," Forrest said.

So far the pair has raised over $10,000 in the hope of finding a cure.