Dale Larson runs for sister Joyce, who has HD

Raising more than $15,000, runners and volunteers showed their support for those affected by Huntington's disease at the Carlsbad Half Marathon on January 24 in Carlsbad, California.

Runners from Team to Cure HD gathered pledges, and volunteers provided course support. Proceeds from the event go to the care of HD patients and research towards treatment and a cure.

Among the runners was HDSA-San Diego board member Misty Oto. Misty took up running marathons and half marathons as a means to get the word out about a "little-known disease that affects more people than cystic fibrosis," she said. Misty’s mother died of HD in December 2007, and her HD-stricken brother suffered a fatal motorcycle accident last November.

“The hereditary nature of the illness makes it devastating to families,” Misty said, who ran in support of twelve-year-old Terry Leach of San Diego. Terry has juvenile Huntington’s disease.

“I ran to honor Terry's never-ending determination to live a normal life and his continuing efforts to battle HD and make others aware of it,” Misty said. Despite having severe difficulty eating, drinking and walking, Terry gets straight As and always wakes up and goes to bed with a smile. Click here to see the North County Times’ coverage of Misty and Terry.

Terry and his family watched the race, and Terry gave high fives to Team to Cure HD runners as they passed by.

HDSA-San Diego congratulates the top fundraisers from Team to Cure HD: Kristen Bentz, Dale Larson, Amanda Bowen, Regina Serbin, Misty Oto, Marci Paulissen & Jennifer Shih.

HDSA-San Diego thanks Vons and Einstein Bros. Bagels for donating food to the event. Special thanks go to Charities in Motion for supporting fundraising efforts.

Click here to view our photo gallery of the race.