Jim Schiebel signed up to walk an hour last year in the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser. But once he started, Schiebel kept going.

He lapped the Butler Intermediate High School track 148 times, covering 37 miles during a 22-hour period.

"I just played Forrest Gump," said Schiebel, 59, of Butler. "I started walking and never stopped."

During this year's fundraiser, Schiebel plans an even longer stint on the track, pledging to walk 40 miles during the 24-hour annual relay.

"My theme is '40 for Life,'" Schiebel said.

He is raising money by adding names to four memorial flags he will carry.

Hosted by the American Cancer Society, the fundraiser also is meant to raise awareness, celebrate survivors and honor those lost to cancer.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. July 10 at the high school track in Butler Township.

Although Schiebel is representing Grace at Calvary Lutheran Church as part of a group called Grace Crusaders, many other groups will have at least one member walking throughout the 24-hour period.

"Those wee hours of the morning can be very difficult for somebody who is fighting cancer," said Ernie Cooper of the ACS hub in New Castle, explaining the symbolism behind an all-night event.

"And cancer never sleeps," Cooper added.

Themed "Carnival of Hope," this year's relay will include vendors and entertainment, as well as serious events like a butterfly release. At one point, luminaries will line the track as part of a special service.

"All those bags are either in honor of someone, in memory of someone or in support of someone," Cooper said.

"We have a solemn ceremony. They are the only light on the track at that point. Then we do a silent lap."

Cooper said Schiebel is likely the only person who will walk throughout the entire relay, but he is not unique in his motivation.

Like many participants, Schiebel is walking in remembrance of someone: his mother-in-law Ruth Clark, who died of cancer in 2007.

"What was special about Ruth? Everything," Schiebel said. "She was a friend. She was a mother. She was everything my mother was and more."

Clark's name and the names of other cancer victims will be displayed on the four 2-by-3-foot white cotton flags Schiebel will carry while walking. The flags are mounted on wooden dowel rods and held upright with sections of coat hanger.

Schiebel has been steadily adding names as he receives donations from those wishing to remember their loved ones on the flags.

"Donations range from 50 cents to $50," he said.

Last year, Schiebel walked with two sponsors, raising a total of about $70. Although still growing, Schiebel's current fund is close to $600, earned through his flag project as well as candy bar sales and raffle tickets for a Troy Polamalu print by local artist Willie Hobbs.

Grace Crusaders has participated in Relay for five years. Team captain Dolores Schmidt said last year's donation to the ACS totaled about $3,000.

Overall, Cooper expects 500 to 600 walkers to participate this year in Butler. Last year, the Butler event raised more than $700,000 for ACS. This year's goal is $85,000.

Cooper said the Butler event is one of 250 in the state, which collectively raised more than $21 million last year.

Upcoming relays also are planned in Cranberry Township and at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township.

The Cranberry event is set for 10 a.m. July 17 to 10 a.m. July 18 in North Boundary Park. For more information on that event, go to www.relayforlife.org/pacranberry.

The Lernerville event is set for 12:30 p.m. July 24 to 10 a.m. July 25. For more details on that event, go to www.relayforlife.org/pasaxonburg.

Cooper said the Relays are open to spectators as well as walking teams, and those not affiliated with teams are welcome to participate by walking or purchasing memorial luminaries.

"You can just come out and participate and enjoy it," Cooper said.

For more information about the Butler event, call the regional ACS office at 724-654-5577 or go to www.relayforlife.org/pabutler.

To donate to to Schiebel's flag project, call him at 724-234-2545.

<B>July 10</B>10:30 a.m. — Opening ceremonies, opening lap led by the Lion and Thistle Highlanders bagpipe band, entertainment by clowns11:30 a.m. — Storyteller and bagpipe player Larry Morrison12:15 p.m. — Survivor lap "Lift Me Up" sung by Marlee Manuel12:30 p.m. — Survivor and Caregiver Lap to "Wind Beneath My Wings" sung by Marlee Manuel1 p.m. — Survivor reception luncheon, inspirational message by "Washboard Tony" Frochio1:45 p.m. — Miss Relay Contest2 p.m. — Outta The Blue classical and country rock2:30 p.m. — Yoga stretch with Lisa Vandvort-Crist3 p.m. — Washboard Tony and Karmacoustic perform3:30 p.m. — Butterfly release to a song by Nicole Tascarella4 p.m. — Magical Madness of Kevin Cramer4:45 p.m. — ATA Taekwondo demonstration5:30 p.m. — Road To Recovery6 p.m. — Hawk and Ginger Welton and The GingerSnaps, line dancing7 p.m. — Fight Back ceremony9 p.m. — Luminaria service to a song by Courtney Brown and "Amazing Grace" sung by Courtney Brown and Sarah Gibson10:30 p.m. — Music by Sound Reasoning11:15 p.m. — Progressive rock by Corse<B>July 11</B>7 a.m. — Inspirational service9 a.m. — Raffle winners announced10 a.m. — Final lap and closing ceremony