In 2024, Andy Spary, a former semi-professional skater from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, was told by doctors that an abscess linked to his Crohn's disease was nothing to worry about. An MRI revealed it was stage three colon cancer, a rare type located near his buttocks. Two years later, he crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in three hours and twenty-five minutes.
Spary's journey from diagnosis to marathon finish line involved an intensive treatment plan: a stoma procedure, several months of chemotherapy, and five weeks of radiotherapy. But he never stopped running. “I had chemotherapy every two weeks. I’d have it on a Wednesday, feel absolutely rotten by Friday, but then after a few days it would wear off and I’d go running again,” he told Euronews Health.
Movement as Recovery
Spary documented his experience on social media, sharing both the difficult moments and his largely optimistic outlook. “I’m generally very open about things. I think that’s the best way to be rather than shut yourself off,” he said. The positive feedback he received online deepened his appreciation for the support of his wife, family, and friends.
Eleven months before the marathon, he underwent major surgery to remove the cancer, including parts of his colon, rectum, and surrounding tissue, followed by reconstructive surgery. Initially unable to touch his feet or walk properly, within three or four months he was back in running shoes, training for two half-marathons and the London Marathon.
A friend introduced him to Trekstock, a charity that encourages young people with cancer to exercise. Spary, who had always been physically active, found that exercising with others his age via FaceTime was a smooth entry into recovery. Through Trekstock, he secured a place in the London Marathon and launched a GoFundMe that has raised over £4,000 (roughly €4,700).
Challenging Cancer Stigmas
Spary, a carpenter by trade, wants to challenge common perceptions about cancer, which is affecting more and more people today. “There is still a big stigma around cancer and death, because in the past, it was often a death sentence. But that shouldn’t be the case anymore,” he said. With rapid progress in medicine, outcomes are changing. “There are so many advancements in treatments and therapies now. The recovery rate is so much higher.”
Bowel cancer is on the rise among younger people, and Spary urges others to get checked if they notice symptoms such as pain, blood in their stool, or changes in bowel habits. While these signs do not necessarily mean cancer, early detection can make a crucial difference. A recent study found 11 cancers rising in younger adults in England, with lifestyle factors not telling the full story.
For Spary, beating cancer came down to mental resilience, a strong support network, trust in the treatment process, and a mindset shaped by years of recovering from serious skateboarding injuries, including a fractured skull. Recovery from surgery can take up to 18 months and is not fully complete, but after finishing the marathon, he said, “I feel like I’m pretty much there.”
