From cancer diagnosis to London Marathon finish line: The cancer survivor who never stopped running

When over one million people entered the ballot for the London marathon 2026, Andy Spary was not one of them.

Around this time, the former semi-professional skater from Tunbridge Wells, south London, had just had a diagnosis that was going to have a major impact on his life.

In 2024, he was undergoing a surgical intervention initially thought to be an abscess linked to his Crohn’s disease. Doctors told him to get an MRI, at first reassuring him he “shouldn’t have anything to worry about”.

The abscess turned out to be stage three colon cancer, a rare type, located in the area of his buttocks.

Two years later, Andy finished his first ever marathon in London in three hours and 25 minutes.

In the time between the diagnosis and the run, he underwent an intensive treatment plan that included a stoma procedure, several months of chemotherapy, and five weeks of radiotherapy.

Movement is recovery

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.

During that time, Andy shared his story on social media, openly acknowledging the difficult moments while remaining largely optimistic.

“I’m generally very open about things. I think that’s the best way to be rather than shut yourself off,” he said. The positivity he received online, he adds, only deepened his appreciation for the support of his wife, family and friends.

Then, 11 months ago, he underwent major surgery to remove the cancer, including parts of his colon, rectum and surrounding tissue, followed by reconstructive surgery.

While at first he wasn’t able to even touch his feet or walk properly, in a matter of three or four months, he put his running shoes back on and trained for two half-marathons and the London marathon.

Some time after his diagnosis but before the surgery, a friend had told him about a charity that helps young people with cancer at any stage in their journey by encouraging them to exercise.

Physical activity and connection

And while he had always been physically active, doing so with other people his age via Trekstock, at first via FaceTime, was a welcome and smooth way into recovery.

Through the charity, Andy secured a place in the London Marathon and started a GoFundMe, which has raised over £4,000 so far (roughly €4,700).

Andy, who works as a carpenter, said he wants to challenge common perceptions about a disease that 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.”

Warning signs to look out for

And while bowel cancer is on the rise among younger people, he urges others to get checked if they notice symptoms such as pain, blood in their stool or changes in bowel habits; And while these signs do not necessarily mean cancer, early detection can make a crucial difference.

For Andy, beating cancer came down to a mix of 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.

He noted that 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.”