Special award for former cancer survivor.
2008-04-17
LOCAL athlete Uwe Strack was recently presented with a special award by the organisers of the Two Oceans Marathon for completing his 25th Two Oceans this year. This makes him the only local runner to complete this gruelling ultra-marathon more than 20 times. Six years ago his running came almost came to an abrupt end when just weeks before his 21st consecutive Two Oceans he was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis was that, even if he were to recover, he would never be able to participate in anything longer than a 5km fun run. At the time he was one of the top master athletes in the Western Province holding provincial colours in road running and race walking. He was determined to prove his doctors wrong and run Two Oceans again the next year. He decided to make his race against cancer his 21st Two Oceans, applying the same mental strategy he used when he achieved his best time in the race. He managed to beat his cancer into remission within four and half months and was back on the road two month later and comfortably qualifying for his next Two Oceans. At the end of last year his doctor declared his cancer to be in complete remission. Despite having cancer, he has not missed a single Winelands Marathon in 26 years and last year won the masters category in the inaugural Bains Kloof 84.4km Ultra, beating his nearest rival by 40 minutes. Most forms of cancer can be beaten provided they are detected early and provided the patient has led a healthy life style and is prepared to play an active part in the recovery process, Strack says. As motivational speaker, Strack now shares his positive mental strategy with others.
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