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Runners honor parents with run across state
Run will raise money and awareness to fight cancer
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FarkThe two-week stretch of physical exertion Brendan Murphy has planned will be difficult. But he knows from personal experience that there are things in life that are much, much tougher.
Murphy, of Rapid City, will run 429 miles across South Dakota beginning April 26. He and his friend Noland Taylor of Great Falls, Mont., are doing the Chemo is Harder Cancer Research Run in an effort to raise awareness and to help others who are affected by cancer.
"I know chemo (and) having cancer is way harder then what we're going to do," he said. "Our legs are going to heal up."
Murphy lost his father to cancer, and his mother is a cancer survivor of over 30 years. And Taylor's father has been through radiation for tonsil cancer.
The pair is running the race in order to "let people know that we're out there and we're trying to make a difference by challenging ourselves the best way we know how," Murphy said.
As he prepares for the run, Murphy's anticipation continues to grow.
"I'm excited," he said. "I can barely hold a thought through my head."
He said the two are ready to let their training show what they can accomplish.
"We've had a whole year of training on this and now it's just going to come down to enjoying it and meeting a lot of people and sharing our story," he said.
Murphy and Taylor plan on taking off from Capitol, Mont., on Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 a.m. They hope to finish in Ortonville, Minn. on May 9.
The two friends plan on being completely self-supported during the run by pushing all their supplies and equipment in two three-wheeled strollers. The gear is expected to weigh between 40 pounds and 60 pounds and includes clothing, shelter, cooking equipment, food, water, first aid kits and communication devices.
Murphy and Taylor have teamed with the American Cancer Society. They said all money raised during their campaign will go directly towards cancer research efforts.
More information about the route and how to contribute is available at www.chemoisharder.com.
After the run is complete, Taylor and Murphy will host a celebration the evening of May 9 in Milbank.
The trip will equate to about 215 miles during each of the two weeks.
Getting in shape for something like that is no easy task.
The two started out by running 40 to 50 miles each week, and eventually worked their way up to 100.
Murphy thinks he's ready for the run.
"Yeah, I do," he said. "I think what we both realized is that we've got the training in, but it comes down to being able to put one foot in front of the other."
Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com.
Brendan Murphy, of Rapid City, will be running 429 miles across South Dakota with his friend Noland Taylor of Great Falls, Mont. They are doing the Chemo is Harder Cancer Research Run in an effort to bring awareness and to help others who are affected by cancer. (Ryan Soderlin/Journal staff)
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