Pair Of Women Will Run & Wheel For A Unique Cause At Philadelphia Marathon

By Kristen Johanson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Among the crowd of thousands at Sunday's Philadelphia Marathon will be a pair of women: Erin McCloskey & Kerry Gruson, trekking and wheeling through all 26.2 miles.

Erin McCloskey will run and push her friend Kerry Gruson, who is in a wheelchair.

"I haven't done anything like this before," said McCloskey. "It's going to be fun, it's going to be an adventure."

Gruson is a journalist who in 1974, while covering stories about Vietnam soldiers, came across a veteran who suffered from PTSD.

"During the interview he had a flashback," said McCloskey. "He strangled her, and left her for dead in the hotel room."

Gruson fought for her life, but was left with paralyzed vocal cords and in a wheelchair.

"She is pretty much a quadriplegic," McCloskey explained. "Because of her physical strength and will, she survived."

Years later, Gruson and McCloskey met at a charity event in Florida, called 'Adaptive Beach Day,' which provides special chairs for those with physical disabilities to enjoy the beach.

They became fast friends.

"Instant connection," said of McCloskey of Gruson. "She asked me if I would assist her during the Philadelphia Marathon, which I happily obliged."

Both work for their own non-profits charities: Gruson with Thumbs Up International and McCloskey with C3 No Limits.

"I will probably have really bright colored rainbow pants on!" said McCloskey.

Together, they will conquer all 26.2 miles, hoping to show people that disabilities, whether physical or mental, don't determine the course of your life.

"Basically, we are looking to close the gap between mental and physical health," said McCloskey. "All I need to do is look at Kerry every once in a while, and that will keep me going."