Queenstown, 19th November 2016

For immediate release from the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon, for further information visit www.queenstown-marathon.co.nz

INVERCARGILL RUNNER TO TAKE PART IN QUEENSTOWN MARATHON TO RAISE AWARENESS OF RARE CANCER

Wife, Mother and Grandmother Margaret Young will be running in the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon next month for a very special cause but it is the title of mother-in-law that she will perhaps carry with the greatest pride during the event.

She will be taking part in the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Half Marathon on 19 November, and will do so for her 22 year old daughter in-law Jodie who is battling Ewing’s Sarcoma – a very rare bone cancer.

Margaret is initially from Australia, but she and her family have been living in New Zealand for nearly 11 years and they have just moved to Queenstown from Invercargill, so the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon will be right on her doorstep.

“I’m not a great runner but I just like having a go and wanted to do a run of some sort for myself, but this is also for Jodie. I want to run for her and try and raise some money for her. They have been through a lot and financially it’s really difficult for them. Jodie and my son are so young and they have given up a lot for the cancer.”

Ewing’s Sarcoma is a rare bone cancer. There’s not a huge amount known about it, other than it starts up as a little lump and is most frequent in teenagers and young adults, making up only 1% of all children’s cancers. Margaret said it took six months for Jodie to be diagnosed with Ewing’s.

“It is a difficult cancer to diagnose. There are only 1.7 cases in every one million children and there is no known cause for Ewing’s Sarcoma. All that is known is that it is not genetic, but rather a change in chromosome 22 after birth. Basically it is a children’s cancer and with Jodie she had it in her arm. She had to have major surgery to have the whole bone removed from her arm and another bone was taken from her leg to put back into her arm. It’s been a long process for her and she still has more chemotherapy, it’s been going for over a year now. She’s been through a lot and the cost of things like the medication, the chemo and travel are really expensive.”

Jodie is from near Balclutha, but has been living in Invercargill until recently she decided she wanted to move back to Balclutha to be closer to her mum and family.

Next month’s New Zealand Sotheby’s RE Half Marathon will be Margaret’s first 21km run. She has only ever done one 6km race, so she knows it’s a bit crazy, but said it will all be worth it.

“I did the Surf-to-City in Invercargill about two years ago. My training has been going good. It has been a bit up and down with everything that has been going on with life lately, but I am back on track again. I have run 15km in one hit so far, so I think when it comes to the race on the 19th of November I will be alright.”

Race Director for the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon Nicole Fairweather is thrilled the event will once again play host to many stories like Margaret’s.

“People are motivated to take part in the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon for so many different reasons, some are very simple and goal driven, some are a little more complicated and can be very emotional, especially when they are related to significant health challenges such as the case with Margaret and her daughter-in-law.

“That is why we will always look to recognize everyone as best we can at every step along the way. Margaret is just one story of many and as event organisers it is up to us to ensure that everyone’s experience is an amazing one and their achievement is recognized, regardless of where they might finish and how long it takes them to get there.”

A Givealittle page has been set up for Jodie. It’s called Run For Jodie https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/runforjodie and Margaret is hoping to raise $1000. She said if she raises that money then she’ll go further than just finishing the 21.1k on November 19.

“If I can raise the $1,000 I might just have a dip in the freezing cold Lake Wakatipu, just for something a little bit crazy.”

Entries for all events are proving popular in the third year of an event that is quickly assuming iconic status for its beautiful and easy running course on mainly packed off-road trails that are inspiring participants from around New Zealand and the world to return or attend for a first time in 2016.

For more information about the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon, or to enter, visit HERE

Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon

Saturday 19 November 2016

Including…

Air New Zealand International Marathon

New Zealand Sotheby’s RE Half Marathon

AIA 10k

Kids Run

www.queenstown-marathon.co.nz

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