Two Rio Grande Valley runners are going 24 hours straight on a treadmill to raise money and collect school supplies for local students.

Raul Garzoria and Brenda Gutierrez, both ultrarunners, are taking on the challenge at Top Gym in Mercedes. As of Thursday at 6 p.m., they have already been running for over 10 hours without stopping.

The San Juan and Harlingen natives have each run more than 100 miles in ultramarathons. They say this run holds the most meaning.

"Make yourself known, not only for what you can do, but for what you can give back to the community," Garzoria said.

The two are raising money and collecting school supplies like pencils, notebooks and backpacks for students who may not be able to afford the basics.

"Why not do something we love? Running, we love ultra-running, and why not give back to the community doing something we love?" runner Brenda Gutierrez said.

Race Director PJ Izaguirre Jr. and his team with Perspective Pacing and Trail Running are helping the runners get through the challenge.

"They brought this idea [and said] ‘let's find a gym. Let's run for 24 hours, and let's really try to raise as much money as we can to just provide for those kids in the area,’" Izaguirre said. "Top Gym has helped us facilitate that, not just like through a facility, but through their actions."

His team keeps the runners fueled along the way.

"They basically feed us. They know us better than we know ourselves. So when we start dying out, they'll make sure we're getting drinks, we're getting food," Garzoria said.

After hours on the treadmill, the challenge is taking a toll.

"We're feeling little nicks and cracks here and there, so it's going to be interesting as the hours progress," Gutierrez said.

As of Thursday evening, the pair has raised $1,600 online. People can also drop off school supplies directly at Top Gym.

Garzoria said giving back locally matters more to him than competing in big events far away.

"You like doing something; do something positive with it. Don't go out there and use whatever gifts God's given you to throw it away. Use it for something good," he said.

"We hope to inspire other people to do this," Gutierrez said.

The run goes until 6 a.m. Friday. The school supply drive also runs through Sunday at Top Gym in Mercedes. Once the drive wraps up, the runners hope to partner with a local city or county to get the supplies directly to students who need them.

Click here to donate to the fundraiser online.

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