By Lookout Staff

March 12, 2012 -- Although her name is usually associated with wheels, RoseMary Regalbuto will be walking next Sunday to raise money to feed the homebound elderly.

Regalbuto, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels West, is raising money for the non-profit, which delivers meals and friendship to the homebound, by walking in the March 18th Honda LA Marathon, which winds up in Santa Monica. Regalbuto is asking donors to give $6 "or any multiples thereof."

"I guarantee you, your donation will provide a hot meal for lunch and a cold sack for supper for one of our homebound, frail and isolated elders," Regalbuto said in an email. "They will be grateful and so will I.

"It does not take much. $2,190 will pay for two meals a day for 365 days," Regalbuto said."Much cheaper than one day in the hospital, don’t you think?"

At last year's marathon, Regalbuto and a score of volunteers helped raise more than $20,000 for the agency -- enough to feed one person for 10 years, or 10 for one year, Regalbuto said.

Shortly after last year's marathon, the League of Women Voters recognized Regalbuto for her outstanding contributions to the community and noted that she had walked “every cold, wet and windy mile” of the marathon.

Those who wish to donate should visit http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamMeals/fundraiser/rosemaryregalbuto

Now in its third year, the the LA Marathon's Stadium to the Sea course starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes on Ocean Avenue near the Santa Monica Pier. Along the way, it goes through
Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Echo Park and Silver Lake, and passes world-famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive.

"The energy, enthusiasm and entertainment along the course is unparalleled," marathon officials said.

Runners who want to register for the Honda LA Marathon have one more chance to get into the race, but only by registering in-person on Friday and Saturday at the LA Marathon Expo located at Dodger Stadium.

“We’d like to include everyone who wants to run in this year’s race,” said Nick Curl, COO of LA MARATHON LLC.  “We’ll have some spots available for registration at this week’s Expo on a first-come, first-served basis.”

The Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday with free admission and free parking.

"There will be more than 100 fitness and running exhibitors featuring the brand-new designs in running gear and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition," Marathon officials said.

This year's marathon is expected to bring some 50,000 visitors to Santa Monica, which has officially declared the March 17 weekend as the Buy Local Weekend with a big expo of its own on the Third Street Promenade.