Long Island woman running 7 marathons in 7 days for veterans

ISLANDIA, Long Island (WABC) -- Running a single marathon is a feat in and of itself, but one woman from Long Island is about to embark on a quest to finish seven in seven days.

Eva Casale is a 54-time marathoner who is raising money for a very good cause.

"I think about those that I run for and what they sacrificed for our country," she said. "And I build from their strength."

And so she's running 183 miles around Long Island raising money for Hope for the Warriors. She says going the distance is a God-given gift.

"I've been running back-to-back 20 milers on the weekend," she said. "Some weekends a little bit longer...I run between 60 and 80 miles a week."

Local politicians gathered at Casale's work to support her. Suffolk County has the most veterans of any county in New York, and County Executive Steve Ballone says he could not be prouder.

"Eva is, in doing this extraordinary run, doing exactly what we are supposed to do as Americans," he said.

She begins running Saturday, April 22, in Northport, and you can join Team Eva, which also stands for "Every Veteran is Appreciated."

"We will be stopping at points of honor, such as homes, memorials, resting places in rural cemeteries and in national cemeteries, churches, bridges and other locations," she said.

And what she's looking forward to the most is the community support.

"We had a veteran last year who showed up every day when I finished with a check for $200," she said. "Every single day."

For more information, visit GoTeamEva.org/