LOCAL stand-up comedian, Marcus Ryan, isn’t shy of a challenge, and this October 12, he is taking on the Melbourne half-marathon as a charity place runner for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, in honour of his mother, Marg, who lost her long battle with cancer last year.
Marcus just returned from an East African stand-up comedy tour, performing in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda and climbing the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) - the highest free-standing mountain in the world. He loves to hike, but he isn’t a runner.
That was until he set his mind to it.
“I wanted to challenge myself,” said Marcus.
“My mum was a colourful person, and her favourite colour was purple, so you’d bet that I'll be all dressed in purple, and running for her, so keep an eye out!”
“It hasn’t been easy, but now I’m getting a bit obsessed with running. In preparation for the October run, I did the Puffing Billy Running Festival and Run the Maine in Castlemaine.”
Intending to raise $4,000, Marcus has successfully raised $2,600.
He started by running regularly at local Park Runs, his first being on Churchill Island, and he loves the community engagement and the supportive people at those events. “It doesn't matter what level of fitness you are; it's good to get motivated and inspired by others to lead a healthy lifestyle, and it's great for your mental health, too,” said Marcus.
Follow Marcus Ryan’s journey on Instagram and Facebook, @itsmarcusryan, and visit online to donate at https://melbmara2025.grassrootz.com/peter-maccallum-cancer-foundation/marcus-ryan
