I was diagnosed with stage 2 HPV+ tonsil cancer about 4.5 years ago.

I had been a regular walker, and, before Covid 19, parkrunner.

I started my treatment on 27th December 2021 (what a happy season that was!) and it comprised 35 sessions over 7 weeks of radiotherapy and two lots of chemotherapy.

The treatment is brutal. By the end I had lost about 17kg, was feeding through a tube and could barely walk, not to mention the effect on my taste and swallowing, and some other residual effects from the chemo.

I do not say this for sympathy. I was determined not to let it get to me. After about a month I started walking - initially about half a mile, but fairly rapidly building up to 3 miles a day.

I returned to parkrun. At first I could only walk round slowly, but gradually started to run a bit, and after 6 months I could get below 30 minutes. I August 2022 I found out about 5KYW at my local parkrun and have been an enthusiastic supporter ever since.

I now find I am faster than I usually was before the cancer, and my age grading has improved dramatically.

I am convinced that exercise (in my case getting back to what I did before) hastened my recovery and helped maintain my mental health.

Please support this worthwhile cause - not for me but for those who come after.

Note: I've received an unusually high number of anonymous donations for this event. I would like to thank each of you individually, but not knowing who you are my thanks and gratitude to you all.