The ING New York City Marathon will become "26 miles of mitzvot" for one East Brunswick man.

Cameron Searle is running the annual 26-mile race on Nov. 4 to benefit the youth education programs of Torah Links/Project Gesher of Middlesex County in East Brunswick.

"I decided it was a great way to raise money," said Searle. "It"s such a good cause."

The 39-year-old psychologist ran the marathon in four hours and 27 minutes in 2003. When Searle decided to give it a second try, Rabbi Dovid Gross, associate director of Torah Links, came to him proposing that supporters pledge a certain amount for each mile he runs.

Torah Links is an Orthodox-affiliated program offering family and holiday activities and Jewish education courses for children and adults. Gross said the organization has a $40,000 budget for its youth programs and is always looking for innovative fund-raising methods.

"I thought it was a good shidduch, a match," said Gross. "I made sure first it was okay with the New York City Marathon. They said it was fine as long as the runner was already registered."

Searle, who grew up outside Buffalo, has run a number of smaller races throughout the area, including 5k and 10k runs.

"I like to exercise," he said. "When I was in doctoral school, I found exercise helped reduce my stress. I had a supervisor and professor who were runners, and my professor ran in the marathon, so I wanted to do it too."

Searle, his wife, Shannon, and their five-year-old son, Daniel, became involved with Torah Links four years ago after moving to East Brunswick.

"We were really looking for a connection to the Jewish community," recalled Searle. "We came to High Holy Day services, Hanukka events. The rabbi and his wife have been very warm and welcoming in a good way. We"ve been to Sukkos and Shabbos celebrations at their house. They"ve been supportive and really linked us to the Jewish community."

Searle has dubbed his effort Go the Distance for the Youth of Torah Links.

"We"ve gotten a really good response," said Gross. "It"s been very gratifying. One of the beautiful aspects of this 26 miles of mitzvot is that when people compete in the marathon, there is a sense of rising to the occasion. But to do all 26 miles to help Jewish education and to make this a positive Jewish experience really does make it a mitzva."