Lance Armstrong to run Boston Marathon

BOSTON, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Cycling champion Lance Armstrong said he will run in April's Boston Marathon to raise money for his charitable foundation.

Armstrong qualified for the Boston Marathon by finishing the 2007 New York City Marathon in 2 hours, 46, minutes, 43 seconds, about 30 minutes better than the qualifying time for his 35-to-39-year age group.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation focuses on cancer prevention. It was established by Armstrong, who is a cancer survivor. In 1996, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer. The disease spread to his lungs and brain before Armstrong recovered.

He returned to competitive cycling and won the Tour de France, cycling's best known series of races, seven consecutive years from 1999-2005.

The 112th Boston Marathon is scheduled for April 21.