Los Angeles, CA – Mexican-born Rafael Ruelas has always liked challenges.  Whether it was as a youngster in Sylmar, California knocking on doors with his older brother Gabriel to see who could sell the most candy; taking on tough opponent after tough opponent on his way to becoming IBF Lightweight World Champion in the sport of professional boxing; or succeeding in the ultra-competitive real estate industry in his post-boxing career, Rafael has always conquered all challenges.

This Sunday, March 4th, the recent California Boxing Hall of Fame inductee will tackle one of the biggest physical and mental challenges of his life when he participates in his very first marathon – the 2007 Los Angeles Marathon.

“I’ve been training with my younger brother, Francisco Javier Ruelas (29), who will also be running the course with me,” the 35-year old Rafael revealed.  “We have been running 10-12 miles up the hills and through the trails of Woodland Hills to Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

“This is a challenge for sure,” Rafael admitted of the grueling 26.2-mile course, which runs from Ventura Boulevard near Universal Studios to Flower Street in Downtown Los Angeles.  “But I think that I can do it.”

While Rafael is running the 2007 LA Marathon for himself, he is hoping to run future events to benefit others.

“My hope is to be able to successfully run this year and come back next year and start running to raise money for charitable causes every year that I am able,” Rafael shared.