Silverstein struggled with his work at thebeginning of the second semester of his first yearat Harvard and finally came to the Dana FarberInstitute looking for some way to commemorate hisfriend in a tangible fashion.

"He had a sincere, deep understanding, borneout of friendship and compassion to fill thatvoid," Gross said. "He needed to roll up hissleeves and do something."

Gross, who was working in the developmentaloffice at Dana Farber suggested that Silversteinvolunteer for non-profit organizations in thearea.

But the idea that finally stuck was related toSilverstein's running days at Newton South HighSchool and Brown Junior High.

"I found out he was a cross-country runner inhigh school and when I learned that, I told himthat I ran in this crazy marathon every year inthe back of the pack," Gross said.

Silverstein jumped at the idea and Gross helpedhim set up strategy for raising funds as well tocommemorate Feldman.

Silverstein, although competitive in highschool, had just over four months to train, andimmediately gave his running coach from BrownJunior High in Newton a call.

The coach, Jack W. Fultz, had been an athleteliaison with the Boston Athletic Association since1986 not only was able to give Silverstein'seffort greater media coverage, but also an experttraining.

Fultz's training proved invaluable, asSilverstein was able to finish in the 3:30s.

In its first year, DFMC raised $101,000 with atotal of 19 runners.

Silverstein is awed by the success of the DFMC.

"This is simply unbelievable; it's reallyinspiring," Silverstein said as he observed thehundreds of runners and their families at the DFMCreception for the participants