OGUNQUIT - The Boston Marathon is known for its unpredictable New England weather, hills that appear 17 miles into the course and spirited spectators including the young women of Wellesley College whose memorable yells and offers of kisses come as a surprise to many runners.

Although the race is different each year, it still attracts runners from all over the country, including Peter Griswold, 66, of Ogunquit.

On April 21, Griswold will face one of the most difficult races in the world with confidence, no matter what the road from Hopkinton, Mass., to Boston offers. As a member of the 2008 American Liver Foundation Run for Research Team, he will join 245 other teammates for 26.2 hilly miles. These runners not only train for a marathon, they vigorously fundraise to help the one in ten Americans affected by over 100 types of liver disease.

According to the American Liver Foundation's announcement of Griswold's effort, nearly 20 percent of Americans have fatty liver disease, a byproduct of obesity in children and adults, and over 15,000 children are hospitalized every year with a form of liver disease.

The American Liver Foundation is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. The foundation provides research, education and advocacy for those affected by liver disease, including hepatitis. 

The Run for Research Team, meanwhile, is celebrating 20 years as the oldest and second largest charity team of the Boston Athletic Association, and one man's selfless dream to help another is how it all began.

When Bobby Banks, a runner and member of Ironworkers Local 7 Boston, saw a television special about famous Boston Bruins player and Coach Terry O'Reilly regarding his young son's battle with liver disease, he decided to help.

With four friends by his side, he ran the 1988 Boston Marathon and garnered over $5,000 for Evan O'Reilly and the American Liver Foundation. Now, two decades later, thousands of team members have raised over $11 million for American Liver Foundation programs.

This year's team hopes to raise over $1 million.

To make a donation to Griswold's Run for Research fundraising effort, visit www.liverteam.org.