Team Edith Gains Momentum At Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon

DENVER (CBS4) - During the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon, many of the runners will be raising money to fight cancer. They'll be running as part of Team Edith.

Team Edith is the title charity at the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon. The organization raises money and awareness for the Edith Sanford Breast Foundation, which does research into breast cancer on the genetic level and develop treatments specific to the patient.

LINK: The Edith Sanford Breast Foundation

"One hundred percent (of the money raised) goes to the research that we're doing," said Thad Beaty, leader of Team Edith.

Beaty is a guitarist for the country music group, Sugarland. He's also heading up the effort to recruit and promote Team Edith. His mother and mother-in-law both survived battles with breast cancer. Beaty has made several trips to the Denver metro area to run and recruit members for Team Edith.

"It's really awesome to be in Denver in the morning because being from Tennessee, usually the mornings are still 588 degrees and it's more swimming than running because of the humidity," Beaty joked as he got ready for a morning run with a running group.

Beaty has met several times with running groups like Runner's Edge of the Rockies.

"I've been able to connect with some groups here. Some have become good friends and they've welcomed me in," Beatty told CBS4.

Beaty has been key to recruiting. Lauren runs with Runner's Edge of the Rockies and was inspired to sign up for the Rock 'n' Roll ½ Marathon to be a part of Team Edith.

"Both my mom and my aunt are breast cancer survivors," Lauren told CBS4.

Both her mother and aunt responded to conventional treatment, but Lauren understands the need for specialized treatment on the genetic level to treat some breast cancers. She's honored to support such a cause.

"It feels great. It feels awesome," she said.

On race day, Beaty will be running the Rock 'n' Roll ½ Marathon and stopping to play guitar with each of the bands along the route. The Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 18.

LINKS: Support Team Edith | Sign Up for Team Edith at The Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon | Register for the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon & ½

Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.