Running Fitness Helps GB Runner's Cancer Battle
Athletics Weekly|February 20, 2020
Nick Jones defies medical verdict as he returns to sub-20 5km shape
Running Fitness Helps GB Runner's Cancer Battle

Former GB international runner Nick Jones was told by doctors he has incurable cancer and spent most of last year undergoing chemotherapy as his weight plummeted to just eight stone, writes Jason Henderson.

Yet despite his health problems he has battled back to fitness this winter and broken 20 minutes for 5km at his local Widnes parkrun.

“If it wasn’t for running, I don’t think I’d be here today,” says the 45-year-old.

He explains: “I went in for an operation last April and cancer was found in my bowel. I had sepsis and my kidney burst. They didn’t think I’d get out of hospital and I was given three months to live.

“But my fitness from running gave me the strength to have the chemotherapy, which has helped me survive.

“You know what runners are like – they’re hard buggers. When you’re training twice a day and running 100 miles a week back in the day, it helps you build up a bit of strength.”

This story is from the February 20, 2020 edition of Athletics Weekly.

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This story is from the February 20, 2020 edition of Athletics Weekly.

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