The ‘C’ Team for the 2009 Cork City Marathon Relay...

I'm sure that most of the regular runners in Cork are aware that John Quigley of Eagle AC went through a serious illness last year. At present, he is trying to put together a 'special' team for the Cork City Marathon Relay. Please read the piece below from John and see if you can help...

"I had a routine blood test three years ago, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in Jan 2008 and had major surgery on May 22nd 2008. I resumed running in August 2008.

With the 'C' word in mind, I’m appealing for relay runners for the Cork City Marathon.

You need to be either living with or recovering from some form of cancer to get on the team, so, thankfully, most people won’t qualify for a place. The primary aim of this relay team is to raise cancer awareness and to show that cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean the end of your sporting life, in fact participation is one of the best therapies. There are 5 legs to the relay, so those on the team can raise money, if they wish, for their own chosen charity.

Almost all of your blog readers thankfully will not qualify but I’m hoping that they will pass on the message to others they know. I need help to fill the team, so please pass it on! There are plenty of people with cancer, from all sporting backgrounds, e.g. swimming, cycling, running, GAA, soccer, rugby and so on.
Why don’t we get together and do this! I have a few people interested, but not enough to field a team. Several are doing the full marathon. It doesn’t matter how slow you think you are – what we’ve been through takes a heavy toll – what matters is that we will be there!

Contact me at 021-4891903 (home), 087-6261178 (outside office & running hours) or at

eagle262@eircom.net

You can read my story, published in the 2009 Ballycotton 10 program, here: http://www.eagleac.net/content/view/163/2/

..................John Quigley, Eagle AC"