Megan Guyette, right, plans to run 44 miles in Sunday's Brew to Brew run from Kansas City, Mo., to Lawrence. This year's run benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Guyette's 12-year-old daughter, Cali, right, who has the genetic disease.

Megan Guyette is preparing to test her physical and mental stamina like she’s never done before.

On Sunday she plans to run the entire 44-mile route in the annual Brew to Brew Relay from Kansas City, Mo., to Lawrence.

“I’ve been training for months,” the Olathe woman said. “I just want to finish.”

Guyette has special motivation for running. Brew to Brew is a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Guyette’s 12-year-old daughter, Cali, has the disease.

She has been running for several years and has participated in some of the nation’s top marathons: New York, Boston and Chicago. But marathons are generally 26 miles. So 44 miles has made Guyette nervous.

“I can’t relax. I can’t sleep. I just can’t get myself to calm down,” she said. She hopes to finish in less than 10 hours.

Guyette won’t be alone in her quest to run the full distance. A total of 45 runners had signed up to go solo as of Thursday, run organizers said. Brew to Brew will feature 3,000 runners this year, the most ever in its 13-year history.

“The number of runners goes up every year,” said Lou Joline, race director. “We were up 500 last year, and we’ll be up 500 more this year.”

Most Brew to Brew runners are part of a relay team. About 400 teams will participate this year. The teams follow the runners in vehicles. The event is organized by the Kansas City Track Club. The run starts at 6 a.m. at Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City and ends on the Kansas River levee near the Massachusetts Street bridge. Teams and runners donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The track club promises the foundation at least $10,000. Last year, more than $25,000 was raised.

After the run, participants enjoy a post-race party catered by Free State Brewery at Liberty Hall, 642 Mass.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects more than 30,000 children and adults in the United States. The cystic fibrosis gene is carried by 10 million people. It causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus because of the faulty transport of salt within cells, limiting organs such as the lungs and pancreas. The mucus clogs the lungs and can lead to infectious lung diseases. It also obstructs the pancreas and prevents enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down food.

Cali Guyette was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was 2. She has to take up to 25 enzyme pills a day.

“She just swallows them,” Megan Guyette said. “It’s easier now. We used to have to mix them with ice cream to fake her out.”

Cali also wears a chest compression vest, which helps keep her lungs clear. Most of her cystic fibrosis right now is in her digestive system, Megan Guyette said. Cali goes to a clinic on a quarterly basis for examinations.

“She is actually very, very healthy,” Guyette said. “When we go to the clinics they are amazed at how well she’s doing. We’re just doing all the preventative stuff at this point.”