"Whenever we run together we talk with each other the whole time, so it's kind of like a bonding time," said Drew Gregory.

For Keith and Drew Gregory, preparing for a half-marathon on Labor Day weekend is all about raising money for a good cause while further building their father-and-son bond.

"I feel like we have become closer," said Drew, 14, of Oak Park. "Whenever we run together we talk with each other the whole time, so when we run it's kind of like a bonding time."

The two have been training several days a week to prepare for a 5K and half-marathon at Disneyland in Anaheim that will benefit the Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with cancer and their loved ones enhance their health and well-being through emotional support, education and hope.

Drew and his dad, who also ran together in Big Sur last October for the Wellness Community, hope to raise at least $15,000 for the coming cause.

"The fact that I am raising money for as good of a cause as the Wellness Community is amazing," said the teen, who will be in the eighth grade at Medea Creek in Oak Park in the fall. "The Wellness Community helps so many people who have been touched by cancer, people who have cancer in their family."

Because the race is planned for Disneyland, it has been a great incentive for families to participate together, said Keith Gregory, chairman of the organization's board, who has participated before in races with his kids.

"It's a great way to stay healthy, spend time with your kids and support the Wellness Community's programs for families living with cancer — not to mention the fun of running together through the streets of Disneyland," said Gregory, whose mother died from ovarian cancer and whose sister is a breast cancer survivor.

Wellness Community President Suzanne Drace said the Gregorys are role models for others.

"It's inspirational for all of us to see a special father-and-son bond that develops through their training together," said Drace, who also will be making it a family affair, running with her husband, Tom Frutchey, and their daughters, Lauren and Jenny.

"Drew and Keith ran every step of the way together in Big Sur, and now they're training together every Saturday to prepare for this event," Drace continued. "Drew is very proud of his dad and what his dad does for the Wellness Community, and you can see the pride in Keith's face when he looks at Drew."

The half-marathon course will take runners though the Disneyland and California Adventure parks, where they will be greeted by Disney characters at the finish line.

Each team member has made a fundraising commitment of $1,200 for half-marathoners and $600 for those in the 5K to benefit the Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, the local chapter of the international organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.

When Gregory and his son ran the Big Sur half-marathon, Drew raised more than $4,000 on his own through letters, a lemonade stand and other efforts, his dad said.

"What was so amazing to me in Big Sur was that as we were running, people would be standing there on the street watching us run by and they'd say, Look at that boy! Look at that boy!'" Gregory said. "He's a huge inspiration."

Drew said Big Sur was tough, "but with the encouragement of my dad and knowing I was helping people, that made it much easier."

The teen emphasized that he wouldn't be able to go the distance if his father weren't there to encourage and challenge him.

"He pushes me very hard," Drew said. From an athletic standpoint, "it feels so good to be in such good shape and be able to run so far. But more important is raising the money because I know I am helping people and that's just the best feeling."

To make a donation or for more information, call the Wellness Community at 379-4777.

For more on the Wellness Community, visit http://www.twcvv.org.