Rodney Biggs challenges health in Adelaide's Lumary City-Bay Fun Run 2023

The 76-year-old has bladder cancer, got COVID for the first time in August, and is part-time carer for his wife Mary Ann. Yet, he is determined to line up for the Lumary City-Bay Fun Run on Sunday, September 17 for about the 20^th time, and he's taking two of his grandchildren along for it.

This year, the grandfather of seven will participate in the three kilometre community run with his grandson Tom, aged nine. Last year, he did the six kilometre run with granddaughter Ava, aged 11.

"Ava ran like the wind - 32 minutes in six kilometres, leaving Papa to run jog the distance at a modest pace," he said.

To prepare, Rodney and the grandchildren participate in City-Bay-sponsored training programs; last year with the Port Adelaide Athletics Club and this year the Adelaide Harriers Athletics Club. On top of structured training, they do their own work on the beach at Henley, plus some oval runs to prepare for the event.

Involving the grandchildren is something the grandparents have done for years; in 2003, Mary Ann walked while Rodney ran, each with prams carrying their eldest grandchildren Asha and Indigo.

"To run and train with grandchildren is uplifting mentally stimulating, growing our relationship and helping me to reach towards my potential as a person physically and emotionally, plus as a doting grandfather," Rodney said.

"However, I believe that Mary Ann and my interaction with our seven grandchildren has conditioned my mind towards longevity, health and faith in the future."

City-Bay is typically held in mid-September - the same time as Mary Ann and Rodney's wedding anniversary.

"Priorities suggest milestone anniversaries and various take precedent," he said.

Rodney first ran the City-Bay in 1973 - when it started - and has a certificate of his fastest run of 48 minutes 33 seconds in the 1974 event, which he ran with friend Damian Pilkington - an excellent runner who pushed Rodney to the under 50 minute mark.

He remembers that event starting at the Adelaide Town Hall with cool and calm weather, Anzac Highway being in good condition, and only 2000 runners.

"There was an atmosphere of anticipation awaiting the firing pistol. and plenty of movement to keep warm," he said.

"Mary Ann who drove me in with our two babies, Amanda and Luke, at that time, was able to watch the start from the Town Hall entrance."

Their third child, Rebecca, was born the day after the 1975 event.

"Accordingly I used discretion to miss that run," Rodney said.

His goal in years following was to break the hour mark, and since 1994, make the distance without the pressure of a sub-60 minute time.

Rodney has had bouts of cancer since 2000; that year he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and after a bout of chemo, it returned in 2001. He tried a self stem cell blood transplant, but two years later was told it didn't work and chances of survival were slim. But somehow, in 2010, his immune system fought back and he was in remission.

"I had strong faith in the medical profession, my family, and faith in God and accepted my fate," Rodney said.

"This combined and generated a beautiful feeling of contentment and allowed my mind to focus on the chemo to set short term realistic goals."

Rodney was told to 'get my house in order' as survival was remote beyond 18 months once the second lot of chemo failed after the stem cell transfer. A year later, Mary Ann was called urgently to the hospital to say "goodbye" to Rodney as he was expected to die that night.

"I'm still not dead and here I am today," Rodney said.

"My firm belief is that my immune system is highly geared to my mindset and at that time our first then second grandchildren were born, generating a flow of endorphins - a bit like a morphine from within.

"Miracles do happen even if it by way of some divine or transcendent type of faith placebo. A big party followed titled 'He Ain't Dead Yet', which raised a few eyebrows."

Rodney said as strange as it may seem, he wouldn't change a thing.

"The cancer challenge helped me to grow and become a better person and to reflect on what in life is important," he said.

"Various matters such as past workplace issues and worries fade against such enhanced vision."

He said life over the past 23 years had been "very special" and he savours every day.

"Upon hearing a person complain about the day's issues I say 'If you don't think that today is a good day, try missing one'."

At the moment, he is experiencing bladder cancer, but he is taking it in his stride with his very active life.

"It's called non-invasive which is a challenge, yet not life threatening as I understand. Accordingly there's lots to do and - good Lord willing - I wont run out of time."

Rodney does like to keep fit; he's set up a home gym and enjoys running, swimming and kayaking. To keep his mind sharp, he enjoys word games, Sudoku and playing chess.

"Keeping fit is critical for me to maintains positive self expectancy towards health and longevity. It's energising for social interaction, to enjoy the day and be involved with various small groups of friends.

"We visit each others home or maybe go out for a meal with the simple title for each group gathering, called "A Table for 4"; 6; 8; and a table for 10 group. Keeping fit means one can drink more wine, enjoy more the delightful meals and have fun in the company of friends with lots of laughter.

He has done a few competitions in his time, including participating in the Australian Masters Games and kayaking Backstairs Passage between Kangaroo Island and the mainland.

On the kayak trip, aged 69 at the time, he and friend Ian Pope went from the mainland to KI and back with 60kg of camping equipment, water, food, cooking gear and sleeping bags with tents. "(It was) partly crazy, but that's me," Rodney said.

In 2015, he was one of four people to represent the 10,000 athletes as flag bearer at the Australian Masters Games in Adelaide.

He's also taken on some extreme activities: he's climbed without a guide to the top of Mount Kala Patthar (5644m) to look down upon Base Camp of Mount Everest.

"(That) actually that almost ended my life as a snow storm that came down virtually blinded me and I almost froze, yet was saved by a high altitude Yak herder as I managed to somehow continue the descent," he said.

His next challenge will be with a friend named Phil to complete the 1200km-long Heysen Trail - albeit in stages, not in one go.

It's not all get up and go; outside the fitness activities he loves being a carer for Mary Ann, which sees him doing cooking, gardening and various household duties. He also grows Giant Pumpkins and enters them in competitions.

He also loves his time with his grandchildren, who have enjoyed his hands on approach to swimming lessons, kayaking, running and driving lessons. He also listens to children's reading at school and gives talks at school on occasions, such as Banjo Patterson's life and poems, where he dresses up as a Jolly Swagman for the presentation.

This year's events include a three-kilometre run, a six-kilometre run and walk, a 12-kilometre run and walk, and a half marathon. The last day to register is Saturday, September 16 at noon.

Entries and information can be placed online at city-bay.org.au/ or over the phone 08-8352-2011.