Local Man Runs Marathon After NYC is Cancelled

11/11/2012 (Updated 11:04:51 PM)

VESTAL -- It was not the way he envisioned it, but Rob McLaughlin  finished his first marathon today.
Since February he had been training for the NYC marathon, but due to superstorm Sandy it was cancelled. So he made his own marathon throughout the streets of Binghamton.

"It was disappointing not to run New York but I'm glad I got to share this with my family.  It wasn't going to happen this way there," McLaughlin said.

40-year-old McLaughlin raised over $4000 for the Leukemeia and Lymphoma Society, an organization that benefits cancer research. Inside his shoes, McLaughlin wrote the names of 33 people he and his friends have known who have battled cancer.

"Sure, there's something in it for me, I'm getting to do the marathon I always wanted to do.  But Imade a promise to all these people that I was fundraising.  I want to honor them," said McLaughlin.

But it hasn't been easy for the married father of three, trying to juggle a family and a full time job.  He started training by walking a lap around the local track and it eventually led to 18 mile runs.

"I'm very impressed. This has been his thing for the longest time.  And this is all I talked to him about," said Mclaughlin's nephew, Alex Whitney.

Rob and his family say the run was so successful that they hope it will be a Binghamton tradition every year. They say it would enhance the area and raise more money for charity.

His family and friends cheered him on throughout his 6 hour run.  When he was finished, they joined in prayer.

"It's been a great day, it's been a long time coming," said McLaughlin.

Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 News.

VIEW VIDEO