The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — One month into fundraising, The Villages Team in Training has raised about $5,000. But they want to raise at least $35,000 by the time they go to Disney World Marathon Weekend in January, said Jennifer Smith, the team’s walking coach.

On Saturday the team will hold its second annual pancake breakfast at Up the Creek Fish Camp & Grill at Lake Sumter Landing. The breakfast is from 7 to 10 a.m. and costs $5 per person. Funds raised for the Team in Training’s participation in the marathon weekend will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For their $5, diners can eat all the pancakes, sausages, coffee and juice they want, said Smith, who’s been walking with the group for seven years. There will be drawings for gift certificates and prizes.

Last year the team served 253 people; this year they hope the number will be about 300.

As always, the team is doing this in honor of Kristen Aust, a 10-year-old Lady Lake girl who’s battling lymphoblastic lymphoma.

“Any time we walk, we think of Kristen and realize where the money goes,” Smith said. “This is just something we can do. … The money goes toward research.”

In addition to fundraising, the team has started training for the 26.2-mile marathon, Smith said, getting together every Saturday to walk.

“We gradually build the miles with endurance,” Smith said, adding that they’re at about six miles right now.

Referring to the distance they must run, Smith seemed more worried about the part that comes after the decimal point.

“We’ve got to get that point two in there, that’s the part that will get you in the end.”

Katie Evans is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9067, or katie.evans@thevillagesmedia.com.