The Friends of Donate Life team, which is likely to swell to about 50 entrants by race day on September 9, will race to bring awareness to organ donations.

Among those to line up is Ann Cahill Lambert, for whom the issue is very close to home.

She has a rare condition known as fibrosing alveolitis and needs a lung transplant.

She will walk the course with her friends.

''You need to be fit to have a transplant,'' she said.

''I have lived about five years longer than anyone expected and that's probably because Lyndell [Kazar - team leader] gets me going.''

Ms Cahill Lambert said the team was made up of friends from the gym and office workers who entered to support their colleagues.

''It's a really good team and it varies in ages and I call it corporate Canberra because a lot of the people in it come from the business community,'' Ms Lambert said. ''They just want to do good work to raise awareness and spread the message that we all need to know our loved ones wishes.'' JULIEANNE STRACHAN

■For information about the cause go to: www.donatelife.gov.au.

■canberratimesfunrun.com.au