Area disc golfers will participate in a national 24-hour Disc Golf Charity Marathon this week at local disc golf courses at Condon Park in Grass Valley and Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley.

Disc golfers across the country have joined the challenge by five-time (perhaps six-time by Sunday) Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong in the fight against cancer with the disc golf marathon. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of those living with, through and beyond cancer.

Lynn Costa and the SkyCatz Disc Golf Club have pledged to raise money for the LAF as the organizers of the Grass Valley/Penn Valley disc golf marathon. Players have been encouraged to find individual sponsorship for every hole or round played in a 24-hour period. Competition begins at 7:30 a.m. today at Condon Park and again at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Western Gateway Park.

One hundred percent of the money raised will be donated to LAF. Nationwide, an estimated 5,000 players from more than 75 cities are expected to participate.

Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 25 and given less than a 40 percent chance of survival. In 1999, the world witnessed one of the greatest comeback stories in sports history when Armstrong returned to cycling to win his first Tour de France title. Heading into the final stages of this summer's Tour de France, it appears Armstrong is headed for a record sixth win.

For more information on the 24-hour Disc Golf Charity Marathon or the Lance Armstrong Foundation, please contact Lynn Costa at 273-7577 or click onto http://www.discgolfersforcancer.com