Courageous cancer survivor Findlay Young is half way through his mission to run 24 half marathons in 24 consecutive days in 24 different locations in 12 countries and six continents around the world for Cancer Research UK.
The young Scott, 32, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer twice in less than two years, has just completed his 12th half marathon in 12 days.
So far Findlay has run 157.2 miles and travelled thousands of miles to achieve his ambition and raise £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.
He is now on his way from New Zealand to Australia, where he will complete another four 13.1 mile runs, before heading to India, Asia, Africa and then back to Europe.
Findlay set off from Newcastle upon Tyne on Thursday, September 7th. He aims to return to the North East to complete his 24th and final half marathon at the BUPA Great North Run on Sunday, October 1st.
Findlay, who lives in London but grew up in Castle Douglas, Scotland, says: “The last 12 days have been a roller coaster ride, both physically and emotionally but I am determined to complete my challenge and return to the North East for the BUPA Great North Run on Sunday, October 1st.”
He adds: “So far I’ve experienced the cold, harsh remoteness of Iceland and the heat and carnival atmosphere of Rio. I ran my fifth half marathon in New York on the same day as the fifth anniversary of 9/11 and in Seattle I ran round giant aircraft at Boeing’s 747 factory, which is the ‘largest building in the world’.”
He continues: “As I travel around the world, I am carrying a picture of the Tyne Bridge in my mind and it is helping me to stay focused on my ultimate goal.”
Findlay has received messages of support on his Great World Run website from well-wishers all over the world, including his running hero Haile Gebre Selassie.
He has also received messages of support from celebrities including Olympic gold medallist Lord Sebastian Coe, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Little Britain star David Walliams and Cancer Research UK running ambassador model Nell McAndrew.
The BUPA Great North Run has played a significant role in Findlay’s recovery from cancer.
When Findlay was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in July 2003, he set himself the goal of taking part in the event the following year to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
During his treatment the challenge grew and in 2004, Findlay ran four half marathons in all four countries of the UK in 24-hours, culminating in the BUPA Great North Run.
In April 2005, Findlay was diagnosed with thyroid cancer again. He had surgery to remove his thyroid gland on May 24th 2005 and four months later took part in the BUPA Great North Run for Cancer Research UK.
Professor Alex Markham, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, says: “Findlay’s courage and commitment to supporting Cancer Research UK’s life saving work is inspirational. We are very grateful for the time and energy he is devoting to raising money for research.”
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to beat cancer. Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer and ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
The cost of Findlay’s challenge is being supported by ICI Dulux, where he works as a management consultant.
To help Findlay Young hit his £100,000 fundraising target, you can donate online at Findlay’s Just Giving webpage
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For media enquiries contact: Julia Haran, Cancer Research UK Regional Press Manager, on mobile 07900 137 935
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Findlay’s Route
- Findlay set off from Newcastle upon Tyne, on September 7th and has now completed 12 half marathons in consecutive days in Reykjavik, Rio, Sao Paulo, New York, Chicago, Dallas, LA, Seattle, Anchorage, Kodiak and Nome (in Alaska) and Auckland in New Zealand.
- He is heading to Australia for runs in Sydney, Canberra, Uluru (the traditional name for Ayres Rock) and Perth; then onto Singapore; then Delhi and Mumbai in India; Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Addis Ababa in Ethiopia; Athens in Greece and Amsterdam in Holland.
About Findlay Young
- In 2004, Findlay Young ran four half marathons (52.4 miles) in the four countries of the UK in 24-hours, culminating in the BUPA Great North Run. He travelled approximately 1,000 miles non-stop by plane, train, automobile and helicopter to raise £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.
- In 2005, just four months after he had been diagnosed and treated for cancer for the second time, Findlay made an emotional return the North East to take part in the BUPA Great North Run.
Running for Cancer Research UK at the BUPA Great North Run
- If you have secured your own place in BUPA Great North Run and have been inspired by Findlay Young to join the Cancer Research UK team, call 0870 162 1622 or click here to request a sponsorship pack. All Cancer Research UK runners receive a distinctive T-shirt or vest to wear on the big day.
About Cancer Research UK
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to beat cancer. For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 08701 602040 or visit our website.
About Nova International and the BUPA Great North Run
- The BUPA Great North Run is the World’s biggest half marathon, with 50,000 runners.
- The first Great North Run took place on 28th June 1981 with 12,000 runners.
- The course record is 59 minutes 05 seconds set by Zersenay Tadesse in 2005.
- Four hours live coverage on BBC Television from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
- The course starts on the Central Motorway in Newcastle upon Tyne and finishes 13.1 miles later by the coast of South Shields.
- The Great North Run is the brainchild of former Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Brendan Foster.
