SEATTLE - Sixteen-year-old Blaine Lints is a runner. He's been doing it for a couple of years, getting so good, he participates in ultra-endurance events, but now he's raising the bar.
"I was looking for a big event this year to kind of really bump up what I've been doing," said Lints. "That's why I decided to try running 24 hours straight."
Lints is taking part in the annual American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" fundraising event. It's an all night relay, where people walk around the track at Husky Stadium, most will be doing it on teams. But not Lints. He started several hours early and will run the entire time.
"I've been training by getting up and running at 2 in the morning, and mixing up the laps with lunges," said Lints.
But even he admits he really has no idea what to expect.
"I think overall the run is more of a mental challenge, but I'm sure it will be hard on my body too," he said.
Lints has friends who will be supporting him during the run.
"Yeah I think he's crazy, but in a good way!" said Arvil Ali.
"I'm never going to run 130 miles in my life, I can't even imagine it," said Daniel Spray.
Lints has a personal reason for participating. His grandmother on his mother's side died after a diagnosis of leukemia.
"I'll be thinking about my grandma while I'm running and those other people who have had to deal with cancer, " said Lints
Lints hopes to raise a couple of thousand dollars for the Cancer Society. He may also end up breaking a couple of world records, including fastest junior to run a 100 miles and running the farthest for a teen-ager under 24 hours.
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