Approximately 8000 people walked the Boston Marathon Course to aid cancer research and care. According to organizers of the Marathon, the aim was to raise $7.2 million for Dana- Farber Cancer Institute.

Participants had the option to choose route according to convenience. Some chose to trek 26.2 mile Boston Marathon Course, while others chose half the marathon course from Hopkinton to Wellesley, still others selected a 5 mile or 3 mile walk to Boston.

In the past 19 years the Boston Marathon has raised $51 million for cancer research. 11 participants have regularly been participating in the event right from its inception. One such participant, Dick Gellis wants to celebrate his 20 years participation.

"When I cross that finish line, I'm going to yell out '20 years!"' the 65-year-old said late last week. "I can't be any prouder of that. It's part of my life." This would be the first time that Gellis would commence his run from Wellesley rather than covering the full course due to a leg injury. Gellis plans to keep on going till he could. HE is one of the fortunate ones to have survived a recent prostate scare as the tumor was benign.  Gellis remarked, "What about the people who didn't get through it? We're only here a short time. We've got to do something for each other.”