The summer and fall months seem to bring out the runner in many Central New Yorkers. There have been several races in our region just in the past few weeks. Some are for charity others are just for the pure sport of it. Our Iris St. Meran talks to running enthusiasts about its growing popularity.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- It's not unusual to see packs of people running down and around Central New York Streets this time of year.

The head of the Fleet Feet Marketing Department Greg Szklany said, "We have a lot of training programs through our store that are building runners are having the time of their life and wanting to go out and complete more races. So they're completing one race that's they're goal race."

The goal could be running related or for a bigger cause. Sunday, in Eastwood, there was the Park to Park run that benefits the Eastwood Neighborhood association. And a short distance away, hundreds participated in the first ever A Run For Their Life, hosted by the Carol Baldwin Foundation.

"My mom is a three year breast cancer survivor, so I'm doing it for her,"said Sarabeth Wojnowicz.

The staff at Fleet Feet say runs that have a goal or special meaning are attracting beginners and seasoned athletes.

"I think a lot of people are looking for something to give back to really," said Szklany.

This was the first time the Carol Baldwin breast cancer research fund. They say they wanted to bring aware ness about the disease, but they also want to promote a health lifestyle."

"Running and walking and taking care of yourself and doing those things, taking those steps to lessen your risk of breast cancer," said the Carol M. Baldwin Research Fund Ambassador Jacqueline Baldwin-Calveric.

Steps that will be beneficial regardless of the reason why.