Numbers for Bermuda Marathon Weekend are being given a huge boost as an American charity reignites its traditional large-scale participation.Leukemia Society Team in Training, from New York, is bringing 150 runners to the Island as part of a fund-raising operation hoping to generate $500,000.Representing nearly a quarter of the event’s overseas contingent, and with hundreds of family and friends in support, the group will doubtless help create an exciting atmosphere when the races kick off.But while the chance to enjoy a run in the sun — followed by a few days relaxing on Bermuda’s famous pink sand — may be enough to put an extra spring in the New Yorkers’ steps, organiser Samantha Mann pointed out there’s a much more important underlying reason for their visit.Every cent raised through sponsorship goes toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s drive to cure leukaemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.Team in Training is a long-standing friend of Bermuda Marathon Weekend, and in years gone by several hundred participants have come from the charity’s various chapters across North America.Since about 2004, however, numbers have dwindled, with only a handful of individuals maintaining the organisation’s interest. However, Mann said this year the charity decided to step up its involvement once again.“We were looking for a new event to add to our winter season, and we thought Bermuda would be perfect as it would give people a taste of the sun,” said Mann.“The race weekend offers a half or full marathon, or just a 10k, so there’s options for all different kinds of runners, beginners or seasoned competitors.”Many of the New Yorkers are indeed beginners competing in a half-marathon for the first time.They’ve been assigned certified coaches and mentors to help with training and ensure they have all the tools they need to raise as much cash as possible.“Most of them have been training for quite a few months in New York where it’s been quite chilly, but they know the weather will be warmer in Bermuda,” said Mann.“But January is not Bermuda’s hottest season, so they should be fine. And lots of them are taking their families, so when they’ve finished they’ll be able to enjoy Bermuda’s beaches and bars — a great way to wind down.”More than $450,000 has been raised by the New York group so far, with organisers hoping to meet the half-million mark after the weekend is finished.Team in Training, which has numerous chapters across North America, has raised more than $1 billion since its inception in 1988; 440,000 people have trained with the programme.For more information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit:www.teamintraining.org/nyc/bermuda