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Think of a runner's grueling task of grinding out 26.2 miles, the aches of muscles and joints, the searing pain of lungs gasping for breath, through the boroughs of New York City.

Then think of enduring the misery of a long race toward a higher purpose.

Ollie Leber will carry the banner of the American Cancer Society when he runs in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.

Leber, 35, of Loyalsock Township, is training hard these days in preparation for the race he's dedicating to members of his family who have battled cancer.

"I'm really excited," he said. "We hope to make a difference and raise lots of money for it (cancer)."

Leber, a married father of two young children and sales manager at Textron, noted he's kept in himself in shape through various forms of exercise throughout his life, but it wasn't until two years ago that he took up running seriously not long before entering his first marathon in Washington, D.C.

As a youth growing up in Switzerland, he did more skiing and snowboarding than any other sports.

"I used to hate it," he said of running. "(Now) I'm addicted."

His personal best marathon time is three hours, 17 minutes, a far cry from the world record of two hours, three minutes, 59 seconds.

But he's not concerned with records, let alone winning the race.

"I'm not even looking to improve my time, just enjoying it (the race)."

To train for the marathon, he runs two to three miles a day, before devoting one day weekly to a much longer run of at least 15 miles.

His wife, Dr. Jenifer DeWald of DeWald Chiropractic, makes sure he takes proper care of his body, too, having him undergo massage therapy.

"Massages are important for the circulation to relax muscles and prevent cramps," she explained.

DeWald, for her part, is happy to be using her practice to help him raise money for the American Cancer Society.

"I can't believe how many people are touched by cancer," she said.

She noted that her husband's mother, Gabriella, is a breast cancer survivor, and a sister is being treated for cancer.

Leber also can count other members of his family - grandparents and an uncle - who have battled with or died of the disease.

DeWald noted that a number of other runners in New York will be running for different causes, including cancer.

Leber is devoted to running, but raising money for cancer makes the act of competing in a marathon that much more worthwhile.

While still a young man, Leber isn't quite sure if he'll continue running marathons.

"We'll see," he said with a smile.

DeWald conceded that his running may have rubbed off on her.

The two of them even have discussed entering a half marathon in Florida.

She and her family plan to be on hand to root Leber on when he runs in next month's big race.