Nine World Vision supporters are set to make their way to New York to take part in one of the world's most famous marathons, the ING New York City Marathon, which will take place on 6 November.

Over the past 12 months, each runner has dedicated their time, energy and passion to training for the marathon whilst raising $10,000 each for World Vision's SEE Solutions program.  

World Vision’s SEE Solutions program empowers poor communities with the support, tools and training they need to work their way out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.

Living on less than $2 a day, it’s often impossible for the working poor in developing countries to break free from the endless grind of surviving. Despite a strong work ethic, they lack the education, access to credit opportunities or job skills needed to get ahead.

When men and women are empowered to help themselves – when they receive a hand-up, rather than a hand-out – lives can be transformed.

These nine runners have also found their lives are being transformed through this experience. Kate Offer, mother of three and self-proclaimed “non-runner”, took on the challenge and hasn't looked back.

"...This is a massive personal challenge for me. I am a classic leave-it-to-the last minute kind of person who has difficulty sticking with things but, I am reliably informed, there is no leaving marathon training to the night before,” Kate wrote in her blog, The New Walker.

“...This year will be a lesson in how to make a consistent, disciplined mental as well as physical effort. Not something I have received awards for in the past but perhaps this year I can change all that."

Follow these nine extraordinary people as they embark on a marathon of a lifetime. Each one of them has already faced a range of emotions, from pain and doubt, to joy and elation. Before even crossing the finish line, they have already changed hundreds of lives.