A Long Island woman ran seven marathons in a week to pay tribute to fallen soldiers and raise money for veterans.
Distance runner Eva Casale raised $40,000 and racked up 183.4 miles running across the Island over the last seven days. Many of those miles came amid blasting winds and cold wind, but the 51-year-old said the cause was worth it.
“It’s been quite an emotional week,” Casale said.
Along the way, Casale and her team stopped at the graves of fallen service members and visited their homes and loved ones.
She also left a rose at a memorial for Medal of Honor recipient Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan in 2005.
Several other runners joined Casale for her run, including Diana Bonacasa, whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2015.
“I think it's the community's duty to appreciate every single veteran,” Bonacasa said.
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Casale was raising money for Hope for the Warriors, a national nonprofit that helps combat veterans and their families. According to Casale’s site, she’s raised more than $200,000 for several organizations since 2006.
“That warms my heart and brings a message to the citizens of Suffolk county that veterans matter,” said Daniel Murphy.