Weber began preparing for the run last fall, running 40 to 50 miles a week, with some runs as long as 20 miles. Last weekend he ran the 26.2 mile Sunburst Marathon in South Bend, during which he qualified for the Boston Marathon.

"I'm still sore," Weber said Tuesday, "still trying to recover."

Food for Kids provides backpacks full of food at the end of the school week for children who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend. During the 2009 school year the program served about 150 kids in three South Bend schools and about 50 kids at Hawthorne Elementary in Elkhart.

Weber ran his first marathon when he was a 17. He remembers people telling him and two of his running mates that they had no chance of finishing. That was all the motivation Weber needed to push through to the end.

"I always try to push myself to run a long distance," he said. "I love the challenge of how far a distance you can run."

Weber ran track in junior high and for two years at Memorial High School. He stopped so he could begin work as a cook at Heinnies. An aspiring executive chef, Weber has an apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation and is taking classes in culinary arts at Ivy Tech.

Weber will run the 50 miles alone, but he has moral support. His mom will keep tabs on him from a van filled with shoes, clothes and other gear that may need changing.

Most of Weber's nourishment will come from water, gel or power bars he can eat easily on the run. Weber said he can walk some of the trail if he needs to, but he wants to run the full length.

Weber hopes to raise $5,000 for Hawthorne, but so far sponsors have pledged less than $1,000.

But the money raised won't make a big difference to Weber. God provides everyone with a talent, he said, and this is his way of using his talent to support his community.

He knows the last 20 miles of the run will hurt, but Weber said stopping early hasn't crossed his mind.

"It's going to be a tough task," he said, "but I'll be OK."