Los Angeles Marathon marks 100th race for local woman

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend's Los Angeles Marathon marks a milestone for Julie Weiss, who is running in her 100th marathon in just eight years.

The 47-year-old is racing to raise awareness and funds to fight pancreatic cancer, which claimed her father six years ago. He was her biggest supporter since she first started marathons in 2008, often cheering her on along the course.

At mile 21, Weiss plans to make a quick stop to present a check to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, hoping to have raised $1,000 per mile by then. Through all of her worldwide marathoning, she has raised nearly $400,000 for the cause.

"This was my mission in life - to keep raising hope, awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer," Weiss said.

Running the final five miles of the course with Weiss will be pancreatic cancer survivor Lupe Romero.

Romero has fought and survived the disease twice in the past four years and celebrates with every positive report from her doctor.

"I live my life in three-month increments," Romero said. "Whenever I get the all-clear, I just cram so much stuff in those three months."