Cardiff runner takes part in inspirational beach run for The Institute of Cancer Research

Cardiff runner takes part in inspirational beach run in the footsteps of Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford MBE and Paralympic gold medallist Erin Kennedy MBE, which will see ‘FINISH CANCER’ imprinted in sand 167,000 times over 100 miles of British coastline 

Olivia Tsim from Cardiff will leave the words ‘FINISH CANCER’ in the sands of Rest Bay Beach for a run in memory of her father

·       The unique run, launched by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, will see the message imprinted in the sand 167,000 times along 100 miles of British coastline

·       The 167,000 footprints symbolise the 167,000 people who die of cancer each year in the UK – lives that could be saved if the ICR achieves its goal of defeating cancer

·       British long jumper Greg Rutherford and British coxswain rower – and breast cancer survivor – Erin Kennedy have run the first legs in bespoke running shoes which have the words ‘FINISH’ and ‘CANCER’ cut into the soles

·       The statement-stamping shoes, made by sustainable brand Bahé, will be worn by ICR scientists and people whose lives have been affected by cancer to continue the journey

·       The campaign aims to raise awareness and funds to support the ICR’s scientists in their quest to make breakthrough discoveries, and save more lives

·       Find out more and donate here: ICR.ac.uk/LetsFinishCancer

A runner from Cardiff who lost their father to cancer has teamed up with a world-leading research centre for a unique run which will stamp a defiant message against cancer across 100 miles of British coastline.

The run, launched by research institute and charity The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), has been kicked off by British long jumper Greg Rutherford and British coxswain rower Erin Kennedy. The pair have completed the first legs in bespoke running shoes which have the words ‘FINISH’ and ‘CANCER’ cut into the soles.

Now, along with scientists, supporters, patients and others affected by cancer, Olivia Tsim has followed in the athletes’ footsteps to continue the journey in the specially developed trainers with the aim of turning the tide against cancer.

Together, they will imprint 167,000 footprints in the sand – each representing a life lost to cancer every year in the UK¹, and a life that could be saved if the ICR achieves its goal of finishing cancer.

The statement-stamping shoes have been created for the ICR by UK brand Bahé to raise awareness and funds to support the ICR’s scientists in their quest to help more people survive cancer. The institute’s world-leading researchers and clinicians have made huge progress in understanding cancer’s biology and genetics, discovering cancer drugs and developing precision radiotherapy. Their mission is to make the discoveries that will defeat cancer, once and for all.

Last week, Olivia Tsim, of Cardiff competed their leg of the race at Rest Bay Beachin support of the ICR’s campaign. 

Having initially been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare type of head and neck cancer, Olivia’s father sadly passed away in July 2023 after the cancer spread to his lungs.

Speaking about her involvement with the campaign, Olivia Tsim said: “The ICR’s Finish Cancer campaign hits very close to home for me having lost my Dad to cancer. After multiple rounds of various treatments, at age 62 he lost his five-year battle.

“He was taken from us far too young, as is the case for so many others who are fighting this awful disease, and it’s been a huge privilege to have the opportunity to participate in ICR’s Finish Cancer campaign and to gain an insight into the incredible work they’re doing each day to turn the tide against cancer.”

Sporting champions Erin Kennedy and Greg Rutherford cited the race as the most important one they’ve ever taken part in – finishing cancer means as much to them as it does the ICR. Last year Kennedy was diagnosed with cancer and then received fifteen rounds of chemotherapy before undergoing a life-changing double mastectomy. Rutherford’s life has also been strongly affected by the disease. In 2008 he lost his beloved grandfather to cancer and in 2020 he suffered his own testicular cancer scare.

Erin Kennedy MBE, British Paralympic Coxswain, said:

“Being treated for cancer is like running a race without knowing where the finish line is – it requires an incredible level of mental and physical strength and resilience. When I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer last year, I was tested to the limit in a way I never had been before.

“I was so fortunate to recently receive the all clear – but I know not everyone is this lucky. My experience has highlighted to me just how vital cancer research is, to ensure more people have the hope of a cure.

“Being involved in this campaign for The Institute of Cancer Research was a no-brainer – if I can raise awareness and funds to make a difference to even one person facing this awful disease, it would mean the world.” 

Greg Rutherford MBE, retired British track and field athlete and Olympic gold medallist, said:  

“I am an extremely lucky man. I had a testicular cancer scare during lockdown which had a huge impact on my mental health because of the fear it caused due to my reluctance to get it checked. After eventually seeking help, I was given the all clear, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt relief like it. But it did make me re-evaluate everything. My grandfather died at 72 from stomach cancer and his father died at exactly the same age, and from the same type of cancer. I can’t put into words how important the ICR’s work is. It’s everything. Funding is essential to defeat this horrible, insidious disease.” 

Rutherford and Kennedy started the race at Happisburgh beach in Norfolk, where they ran three miles in the bespoke trainers to imprint FINISH CANCER across the coastline – the equivalent of around 5,000 footsteps. Now, the onus is on a cohort of researchers from the ICR and a team of the ICR’s supporters to continue the run across Britain’s beaches, leaving the powerful message in the sand in their wake.

When one person finishes their run, another begins theirs on a beach somewhere else. The six-week long race will ultimately see the words ‘FINISH CANCER’ imprinted 167,000 times across 100 miles of beach in England, Scotland and Wales.

Professor Chris Bakal is Professor of Cancer Morphodynamics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. His team studies the biological switches that cause cells to change shape, become cancerous and spread around the body, in order to find a way to control them through drugs or other therapies.

Professor Chris Bakal comments:

“For each of the 167,000 steps that Erin, Greg, our supporters and researchers take, representing the number of people who die of cancer each year, we hope to increase support for our work, and raise funds that will help us make steps in the lab and the clinic that save lives in the UK and around the world. It’s our hope, that with further support, we can help many more people survive cancer and live well with the disease.” 

The ICR’s bespoke running shoes have been created by sustainable running shoe brand Bahé – a brand that launched in 2022 with the world’s first ‘grounded’ running shoe, designed to put the wearer back in electrical contact with the earth, such as when they are barefoot, allowing numerous health benefits. The design process was led and overseen by Bahé co-founder Alex Ward.

Alex and his team spent more than 100 hours working assiduously on the custom soles, developing various prototypes before landing on the final design that delivered super-clear and legible sand prints of the words finish and cancer. The ICR worked on Bahé’s first style, a hybrid running shoe – the Recharge to customise the soles.

Once all legs of the race have been completed, one pair of the bespoke shoes will be brought back to the ICR to be displayed, with the remaining shoes auctioned to raise funds to support its research.

Help the ICR reach the finishing line, so that more people will survive cancer. Find out more about its ongoing research to finish cancer, and show your support either by donating or fundraising for the ICR through your own run or sporting challenge:

ICR.ac.uk/LetsFinishCancer