Levison was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) nearly 21 years ago and is confined to a wheelchair. Most people who suffer from ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, "live two to three years," said Levison's son, Brent.

"He has been a fighter, an inspiration."

The seventh annual Marc Levison 5K Run/Walk for Lou Gehrig's disease will be held at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Jeffrey Mansion. The event has raised nearly $150,000 for research of motor neuron diseases at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Brent Levison said the run started because community members wanted a way to support his father. Family members wanted the event to be held in Bexley.

When they began researching dates, they noticed the only major event in Bexley over Labor Day weekend was the community picnic.

Marc Levison's wife, Eileen, said she is excited that the race is held in Bexley, her family's home for 30 years. Residents always have been accepting of her husband on his daily visits to the library and coffee shop, she said.

More than 500 people are expected to participate in the event this year.

Organizers have commitments from a number of local schools including Capital University. The football team has pledged to run, Brent Levison said.

"It is really impressive, the night before they have a game in Michigan," Levison said.

Other commitments include the Bexley High School boys and girls soccer teams, the Bexley High School field hockey team and new this year, the Columbus Torah Academy basketball team.

Also for the first time this year, local synagogues will hold a morning worship service before the race, Levison said.

To sign up, log on to http://premierraces.com/2009Races/marclevison.html. The cost is $30.

According to als.org, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The degeneration of the motor neurons eventually leads to death, the Web site said.

ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease in honor of the hall-of-fame first baseman for the New York Yankees who was diagnosed with ALS in the 1930s.