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(21-Apr) -- World Championships marathoner Roberta Groner has decided to run the now-cancelled Pittsburgh Marathon virtually on Sunday, May 3, to raise money to provide inspirational buffs to hospital employees. Groner, 42, who ran a personal best 2:29:09 at the NN Rotterdam Marathon last year, is also a registered nurse.

"No longer working on the front-line in the healthcare system I sometimes feel like I am not doing enough, Groner wrote on a GoFundMe page she set up to accept donations. "What these doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, medical assistants, techs are doing daily to fight this pandemic is truly inspirational. I have decided to run a virtual Pittsburgh Marathon on May 3 in honor of all that have been directly affected by this pandemic. I would like to raise money to send some inspiration to our fearless leaders in this battle!"

The buffs --essentially fabric tubes which can be worn as a facemask-- will be produced by KFG LLC- Keepfngoing.

Groner is America's best over-40 marathon woman. She finished fifth at Rotterdam last April, sixth at the World Athletics Championships Marathon last October in Doha, and 13th at the TCS New York City Marathon last November. She competed in the recent USA Olympic Trials on February 29, but was unable to finish.

Groner has set a goal of raising $1000.  For those wishing to contribute, her GoFundMe page is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-fearlessly-goingkfg