WHEN RUNNING MET CANCER

RUNNER’S WORLD

For more than 30 years, our sport has played a vital role battling the deadly disease.

1978
In what is considered the first cancer-fund-raising run, Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray runs across the U.S. in 45 days, raising $150,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

1980
While Terry Fox never completed his run across Canada, his legacy endures. The Terry Fox Foundation and annual Terry Fox runs have raised $500 million for cancer research.

1983
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure holds its first event in Dallas with 800 entrants. Today, more than 1.6 million runners/walkers take part in 141 races promoting breast-cancer study.

1985
Inspired by Terry Fox, Jeff Keith, who lost most of his right leg to bone cancer, becomes the first person to run across the U.S. with one leg. He has since raised $50 million for cancer research.

1988
With a group of 38 runners Bruce Cleland leads the first Team in Training at the NYC Marathon. This year 45,000 people will take part in TNT events.

1990
The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team becomes one of the first charity programs to take part in the Boston Marathon.

1992
After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 1990, NYC Marathon cofounder Fred Lebow runs the race with Grete Waitz. He would die two years later.

1993
Dr. George Sheehan, who chronicled his "running philosophies" to legions of runners in the pages of Runner's World, dies at age 75 from prostate cancer.

1994
Best known for running 135 sub-four-minute miles during his career, Steve Scott is diagnosed in May with testicular cancer. After taking time off from competition, Scott returns to the track that fall.

2003
American marathon record holder Deena Kastor is treated for skin cancer. One year later she would win an Olympic bronze medal in the marathon.

2006
In November, cancer survivor Lance Armstrong runs New York--his first 26.2-miler--in 2:59:36 while inspiring his LiveStrong followers.

2007
Four-time Boston and NYC marathon champion Bill Rogers is diagnosed with prostate cancer. A year later, a healthy Rodgers returns to Boston to race and raise awareness for the disease.