Grandad to do Durham City Run 10k after cancer all clear

Martin Douglas, 64, from Wakefield, undertook the Durham City Run in 2017 when visiting his daughter Becky Little, who lives in the city with her son Mason.

Even though Martin was not feeling his best during the race, he still completed the 10k distance. But only days later, when back home in Wakefield, Martin collapsed.

In the hospital, it was discovered that Martin had bowel cancer, and he underwent an operation and chemotherapy to treat the tumour.

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At the time, Martin’s grandson Mason was one. Now seven, the boy is excited to watch his grandfather run the race again.

Becky says: “The family always turns out to support him, and this year will be no different – though I won’t be running alongside him!

“Dad is a total fitness fanatic, and even when he was ill, he didn’t really stop running. He used to take “fast walks” as he called though throughout his treatment. He believes his fitness has helped him recover from sickness.”

Having been given the all-clear from doctors in December 2022, Martin will once again undertake the 10-kilometre run – but this time in full health.

Martin and Becky. (Image: Becky Little)

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Becky added: “It’s a full circle moment, as he was diagnosed so soon after the last time he did the run.

“I just want to tell the world in celebration of my dad doing the run again, it really means the absolute world to us as a family. He loves coming up to visit me and Mason in Durham after we moved to the North East in 2016.”

Martin will be doing the 10k on July 14. The race is part of the 2023 Durham City Run festival. There will be 5k and 10k distance runs, as well as a mile long ‘Run like a Legend’ race, orienteering events, and family races.