ITHACA, N.Y. -- "She was my best friend. She was everything to me," said Nicole Chuchmach.

Chuchmach's mother Sophie lost her battle to colorectal cancer in 2006. Now Chuchmach and two good friends have started Sophie's Run to raise awareness about colorectal cancer.

"When my mom was sick, I decided to become her caregiver. And it was a tough time for me, so I needed to get out of the house a lot of times, so I started to run," said Chuchmach.

Chuchmach was running about 72 miles a week by the time her mother passed away.

"She fought every day with the disease, so I wanted to continue to fight for her," said Chuchmach.

As the runners fought the hills of Route 96 in Ithaca on Thursday, they hoped their presence helped to raise awareness about colorectal cancer.

"The problem with the disease is that the symptoms don't show up until the later stages," said Chuchmach.

Chuchmach says her family didn't know the signs and symptoms of the disease.

"So all of us have the same mission to raise awareness and save others from this disease," said Chuchmach.

All three runners have mothers who either died from or underwent treatment for some form of cancer.

"All of our stories and our friendships kind of grew from that common bond that we had," said Chuchmach.

The runner's Ithaca leg of their journey ended at the Ithaca Fire Department, but they've still got plenty of stops to go before they reach New York City, including stops in Richford, Whitney Point and Binghamton.

The runners will arrive in New York City on October 24.

For more information about Sophie's Run and colorectal cancer, visit sophiesrun.ca.