Stratford man running 251 km for wife with terminal cancer

A Stratford man is training to run from Stratford to Tobermory for his wife, dealing with palliative cancer diagnosis. Scott Miller reports.

Samm Simon’s wife was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer — running has helped him deal with the diagnosis.

“I go through a lot of emotions, from anger to sadness to worry and selfishly, the running is helping a little bit with that. No one should have to go through this,” says the Stratford man.

Simon is now doing more than just running off his emotions, he’s training for a fundraising marathon from Stratford to Tobermory, to honour his wife, who he calls the bravest person he knows.

“I’m running 251 km from our front door here in Stratford through the Bruce Peninsula, ending in Tobermory. And I’m doing this run 100 per cent for charity. My wife has terminal cancer, and the Bruce Peninsula is a very special place for her. Her family has a cottage there, and some of her fondest memories are there,” he says.

The 57 year old wasn’t an avid runner before his wife’s diagnosis, but has been running 70 to 80 km a week, in preparation for his 251 km journey, which will leave his Stratford home, on May 11.

“I’m not a professional runner, by any means. I have a running coach and a strength and conditioning coach, and this run is selfishly, a little bit for me to grab on to, and we’re raising money for three wonderful charities,” he says.

The Stratford General Hospital, Wellspring’s Stratford Cancer Centre, and London Health Sciences Centre-Cancer Program, will be the beneficiaries of Simon’s physical feat. He’s raised over $11,000, so far.

“I’m basically going to do six to seven marathons every day, until we get up to Tobermory,” says Simon.

He expects his charity run to last, about seven days. You can learn more about Simon’s journey at Samm Simon Charity Run 251 KM - Stratford, ON.