Running the Boston Marathon's 26.2 miles might not seem like a walk in the park to most people, but for a group of Penn State volunteers, it's a way of helping community members without medical insurance.

Penn State celebrities like Joe and Sue Paterno and 1980 Olympic track and field runner Greg Fredericks are teaming up with Penn State students, faculty and alumni to benefit Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM), 251 Easterly Parkway.

They will be sponsoring marathon runners to raise money and awareness about the clinic's free health care services.

Organizer John Domico said that so far, three Penn State students have qualified to run this year's marathon, but organizers are hoping for more representation from the student body.

"I feel like people have the wrong impression of the student community," Domico said. "They're here for four years, then gone, but the fact that they're willing to donate to the community really speaks to their character."

Last year, with about 20 runners, the volunteers were able to raise $34,000 for CVIM.

This demonstrated that as the number of runners and those supporting students goes up, the team attracts more awareness for the clinic -- a major goal of the marathon challenge, Domico said.

CVIM aids the estimated 11,000 Centre County adults without medical insurance by providing free services for their families, Celeste Newcomb, the clinic's executive director, said.

Newcomb said she was contacted at the start of the 4-year-old challenge by Domico, who came up with the idea to converge his love for running with raising funds for CVIM through the Boston Marathon Challenge.

Domico said he chose the Boston Marathon because it is the most prestigious marathon in the country.

"We thought that most people would realize we're not going out and running around the block," he said.

"They are giving a sacrifice to help the clinic," he added.

Domico ran the marathon solo the first year, raising $1,500.

That number grew over the last three years because of increased community help.

Fredericks and the Paternos have been lending a hand as honorary coaches for the past three years.

The Paternos also give an endowment each year to the clinic.

While they do not attend the marathon, they encourage others to participate.

"We want students to be there that day just to support people," Sue Paterno said. "If you even go and see what they're doing, it's amazing."

Fredericks, Class of 1972, is an avid runner like Domico and said he became involved after Domico explained the services the clinic offered.

"People need food, shelter, clothing and medical care," Fredericks said. "This is really a good thing."

The health care services are not just for local employees who don't have insurance.

In fact, some students may also need to utilize the benefits of a free clinic, Newcomb said.

"I think [students] are so motivated and can understand what it's like to be away from home and uninsured," she said.

"Many students are close in their lives to looking for jobs and may not have medical coverage; we can help," she added.

Since running the Boston Marathon -- which is the distance from State College to Lewistown -- in about three hours might not be for everyone, others who want to get involved can do so by spreading the word, cheering on the runners or finding sponsors for the event.

"If we can bring a team of 25 runners [to Boston], that's great for us," Newcomb said. "But others can go out to support the runners or e-mail 10 of their friends to pledge $1 a mile -- it's pretty affordable."