With a little help from her friends and the N.C. Roadrunners Club, Witt has a lot to smile about these days.

Her dream of creating a Magnificent Mile race to raise money for the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation has grown into an event more magnificent that she ever imagined, with more than 300 runners and $20,000 raised.

"I thought we would be lucky to raise $2,000 and attract 100 runners," she said.

Two years ago, Witt, 39, who lives in North Raleigh, hoped to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

While training for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, she noticed her left leg dragged, she was dizzy, and she could not recover from infections. Despite these ailments, she finished the race in 1:44, a personal record.

"I was proud of that," she said. "But that was my swan song."

A year later, Witt was diagnosed with PLS, a disease similar to ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

She can no longer walk or speak. To communicate, she uses computerized voice software.

"Sarah has brought so much inspiration to the table," said Roadrunners club president Mike Walsh.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. tomorrow at NCSU's Centennial Campus. For details, visit www.ncroadrunners.org/magmile.