A week after runners statewide completed a memorial run in honor of one of their best, Maine clubs received notice this week that their work isn’t done.

Gary Allen of Cranberry Island said in an e-mail that a local runner, physician’s assistant and artist – Jeff Weisbruch – was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

“A Maine runner needs our help,” Allen said, simply, before outlining his plan to do just that.

Allen’s response: Jeff’s Run, a 24-hour relay that will raise money, through pledges and business donations, to help Jeff and his fiance, Caraoline Leonard.

The run is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, July 13, and end at noon on July 14.

Last weekend, runners completed a Kittery-to-Madawaska relay that served as a tribute to Andy Palmer. Palmer died on Feb. 4 after a run.

“Mount Desert Island High School is allowing us to camp on the football field and [is lighting] the track during the night,” Allen said. “We’re putting this together rather quickly, as this news just came out. All help [and] participation will be greatly appreciated.”

Allen said Weisbruch, who is also an accomplished chef who has worked at MDI restaurants like the Lompoc Cafe and The Burning Tree, is an accomplished marathoner who is entered in the inaugural MDI Marathon. He and Caroline are also to be married in August.

Weisbruch is scheduled to have surgery in Boston on June 24, Allen said.

On Allen’s “wish list” to help the relay run smoothly: donated food and water, portable toilets and an awning tent for lap counters and volunteers.

Allen said 100 percent of the donations will be given to Jeff and Caroline at the end of the run.

Donations can be sent to Jeff’s Run, c/o Mike Westphal, Cranberry Island, 04625. (Please make checks payable to Jeff’s Run).

Allen said all runners will be welcome, whether they come to run just a few miles by themselves, or serve as team organizers for a group that will spend the entire 24 hours at the track.

Distance Festival welcomes kids

Track-watchers from across the state – and athletes looking to run a fast time in front of frenzied fans – have embraced the New Balance Distance Festival over the years.

But when the ninth Distance Festival is held on July 6, children can join in the fun, too, thanks to the New Balance Children’s Track Festival.

Kids ages 8-12 are invited to participate in a variety of track and field events from 3-5 p.m. at the Bowdoin College track in Brunswick. Prizes from New Balance will be up for grabs, and every participant receives free admission to the world-class Distance Festival when it starts at 5:15 p.m.

Events that will be contested in the children’s meet are the long jump, 100 meters, shot put, 800 relay, low hurdles and 400.

For more information contact the Bowdoin College track office at 725-3010.

Don’t miss Beach to Beacon

The race is a month and a half away. Thousands of runners will be there. Shouldn’t you?

Runners looking to enter the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K shouldn’t procrastinate, or they may miss the state’s largest road race and the thrill of running in a large-field, top-notch race.

As of the latest posting at the race Web site (check it out at www.beach2beacon.org), more than 3,800 runners have already registered for the fourth edition of the race, and the field will be capped at 5,000.

This year’s race is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Finishing kick: The road-racing schedule begins to heat up with the first official weekend of summer, as six races are on tap statewide.

On Saturday, the choices include: The Waterville Bicentennial 5K, which will start at the Colby College field house at 9 a.m.; the Waldoboro Day 5K, which starts at 8:30 a..m.; the Founder’s Day 10K and 5K in Raymond (7:30 a.m. start); La Kermesse Franco-Americaine 5K in Biddeford (8:30 a.m.) and the ParkFest 2002 4-miler in Falmouth (8:30 a.m.).

On Sunday, runners can head to Gardiner for the Gardiner Common 8K (roughly five miles), which will start at 8.

John Holyoke can be reached at 990-8214, 1-800-310-8600 or by e-mail at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net