WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- In two months, two weeks and less than two days roughly 15,000 - 18,000 runners will be pounding the pavement of the District of Columbia and 9NEWS NOW will broadcast the event live.

The SunTrust National Marathon has grown from less than 3,000 runners six years ago to the popular event it is today.  This year WUSA 9 is joining to partner with organizers.

"It's a big deal and a great showcase for the community," said WUSA9's General Manager Allen Horlick.  "We're expecting to raise around half a million dollars from this event for local charities in 2011."

Tonight is the night!  

Thursday, February 24 at 7 p.m. will feature a lecture by art critic Paul Richard wrote for The Washington Post for more than 40 years. In this illustrated talk, he will recollect a story which he covered for the Post, of Color Field painting's Washington appearance, its precedents, promises, strictures, and disputes. Following the talk, participants are invited to view the Corcoran’s exhibition Washington Color and Light. $15. http://programs.corcoran.org/products/color-painting-s-pedigree