Graham Davis of Terrigal – a 71-year-old cancer survivor – is fronting up again this year to defend his age group title in the Sydney Harbour 10km run.
He plans to win again this year, on July 23, but more importantly wants to raise funds for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Davis has always been into sport, mainly football, and was a reasonable runner at school.
He took up running again in 1999 at the age of 47, running four to five times a week, and has been a member of the Terrigal Trotters since 2000.
They run together every Saturday at 6am, and Davis and some of his friends from the club will head out through the week too.
In May 2013 Davis’s world came tumbling down when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
He says it was a shock, although the week before he competed in an ironman triathlon event and wasn’t feeling well.
“I booked in for a routine endoscopy/colonoscopy check-up after competing in the ironman for which I’d been training for eight months,” he said.
“I had no symptoms, but did fail to finish the event, and just put it down to it not being my day.
“The cancer diagnoses was quite a shock.”
Davis had an operation to remove part of his colon in late July 2013 and then commenced six months of chemotherapy.
“I wasn’t able to work and it certainly wasn’t an enjoyable experience but with strong support from family and friends, and a positive mindset which you need to compete in marathons and ironman events, that certainly helped,” he said.
Once the chemo and recovery was over Davis was carrying an extra 16kg, so he set a goal to get fit again and try to complete another ironman in May 2015.
With support and determination he did complete the Ironman Australia and has continued his running, with the new goal to complete the Big 6 major marathons – he has two left, for which he has already qualified and entered.
“Cancer does not discriminate, and even as a fitness-minded individual, we are not immune to this horrible disease, which is why research is so important,” Davis said.
“The most important thing anyone can do is get regular check-ups.
“If something’s not right, get checked, early detection is so important, and always stay positive and enjoy life, you only get one chance.”
This year the Real Insurance Sydney Harbour 10km/5km has partnered with the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Davis will be testing himself on the 10km course to raise vital funds for research and as it is a flat course it’s a great warm-up for the Sydney Marathon.
Sue Murray