At 41 years old, Rob Grant became a marathoner later in life, but since then he’s completed seven of the 26.1-mile races over the course of four years.

And when he runs, Grant said it’s not just for himself.

“It’s important to run for something bigger than yourself. To help out a charity is rewarding,” he said.

For each race, Grant, now 45, has raised money for the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

Through donations, the non-profit helps people in need across the world. The foundation seeks to give families a path out of poverty with its sponsorship program.

In 2007, Grant became involved after the foundation visited his church, St.Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett. Grant, of Florida, has spent summers in Mattapoisett since 1979.

When the foundation initially visited, Grant decided to sponsor Jursha, an Indian girl, who he still corresponds with a few times a year.

“It’s uplifting when you receive a letter,” Grant said. “I’m always praying for the family.” Donated funds help pay for food, clothing, and shelter for Jursha, who is currently in 10th grade.

Recently, he raised funds at an event held in Così at Wareham Crossing earlier this month. The restaurant donated 10 percent of every meal purchased between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on one night.

In 2009, Grant sought to raise funds and awareness for the organization by running marathons. He asked the foundation for approval, got the OK, and began to train. A track athlete in high school, Grant said he hadn’t done much running since then.

He started slow and gradually increased his mileage by a half mile in length over nine months. Currently, he runs about 45 to 50 miles a week. So far, he’s raced in Canada, Florida, and the Midwest.

Interestingly enough, the hottest race occurred in Quebec City, Canada (“There were no clouds, no high rises, no shade, and the sun was brutal”) where a 57-year-old heat record was broken.

This May, Grant finished his most recent marathon in Green Bay, Wisc. where he ran a lap in Lambeau Field, the home field of the Green Bay Packers.

Eventually, he hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Grant continues to train and has participated in the Mattapoisett 5-mile race for the past six years. On some mornings, he can be found at the track at Old Rochester Regional HighSchool training for his next marathon.

“When I started training, I just liked it. You get used to it and it gets into your blood,” Grant said.

For more information on the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, visitwww.cfcausa.org.