Professor Richard Scolyer completes 250th Parkrun, a goal set after cancer diagnosis
Former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer has completed his 250th Parkrun — a milestone he set after he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2023.
The renowned melanoma researcher was among hundreds of runners who took part in the Greenway Parkrun at Haberfield in Sydney's inner west on Saturday morning.
Professor Scolyer, who put himself forward as "patient zero" for revolutionary brain cancer treatment, crossed the finish line to applause and cheers from the crowd.
Shortly after he finished the race, light rain began to fall and a rainbow formed over the reserve.
When speaking to the media, he said 250 Parkruns was a "big goal" he set for himself.
"I did a lot of Parkruns in the early 2000s but then as the kids go through various parts of their life you stop doing it," he said.
"And then when I got sick again I wanted to try and get to 250.
"I guess it's part of my personality. Bit embarrassing, but wanting to get to 250 was something that pushed me along."
Professor Scolyer said it was "crazy" to see such a huge turnout at the run and that he was "very happy" to complete his goal.
Professor Scolyer said he had doubts about whether he would reach the major milestone.
"To be honest, I never thought I'd get there," he said.
In a post to his more than 20,000 followers on X earlier this week, he wrote that it was a goal "I wasn't sure I'd reach" and that he was excited to be able to take part in the run.
"So it's with a huge amount of gratitude to my family, friends, and medical team that I'll be celebrating this achievement," he said.
The post on social media came after a long period of no updates, which Professor Scolyer said was due to the impact of his latest round of cancer treatment, but that he now felt "like the fog has lifted a bit".
Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma in 2023 and was given just six to eight months to live.
But an experimental immunotherapy treatment he was given managed to keep the cancer at bay for almost two years with no recurrence.
However, he revealed in March that after undergoing scans, he had received the heartbreaking news that his brain cancer had come back.
In May, he had another setback, revealing that his first proper scan since the surgery showed the glioblastoma had progressed and it was getting "harder to treat".
He told ABC News Breakfast last month he wasn't sure how much time he had left.
"I'm still here and still able to chat to you so I'm pretty pleased about that," he said. "Who knows how long I've got. Could be months, could be less."
Professor Scolyer said he's focused on spending the time he has left doing the things he loves most.
"I love my life. I love the interactions I have with so many people.
"I guess in reality, I have focused down on the things that I like doing. Spending more time with my family is number one, but also contributing to society. It's something I've done for a long, long time.
"I've been a specialist for more than 25 years now. So a lot of things that I've done I don't want to give up just like that."
Professor Scolyer has been very public and honest about his prognosis and journey through brain cancer treatment in interviews, social media and in his recent memoir, Brainstorm.
His memoir, which was co-written with Garry Maddox, won the Social Impact Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards in Melbourne last month.
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