Chris Keeps Running On Courage
By Katrina Peach
Leukemia and a bone marrow transplant haven’t stopped Christine Griffiths from doing the things she enjoys most.
The former science teacher, 40, will be among more than 1000 competitors in the Sussan women’s 10 km classic tomorrow.
“Running has always been my sanity bow, it gets rid of all the built-up tensions,” she said.
Two years ago Christine discovered she had leukemia and feared her jogging days were over.
“I started to notice my running was getting slower and slower, so I went to my doctor and had a blood test and found out I had this,” Christine said.
About 18 months ago her sister, Carmel, donated bone marrow for a transplant. But her medical troubles continued and Christine has had to spend five months of the past year in hospital as a result of infections.
In her build up to the 10 km event, Christine said she had been running about 6 km a day, and hoped she would be fit enough for tomorrow’s race.
“I’ve competed in the last five classics, but this one will be a real hurdle to finish,” she said.
She sports a T-shirt with the words “Don’t take your organs to heaven; Heaven knows we need them here”.
Last year she competed in the first Australian transplant olympics and won a gold medal for a doubles tennis match and a silver in her singles.
She hopes to go to the International Transplant Olympics in Singapore later this year and is looking for a sponsor.
The Sussan classic will start in the Bourke St Mall at 9 am. Late entries will be taken after 8 am.
The organisers expect a record 1500 people to compete. The race is open to any female over 12 years old and the oldest competitor this year is 76.
The winner will be flown to New York in June to compete in the largest US all-female race, the Mini L’eggs 10 km Classic.
(Photo Caption)
Christine . . . despite suffering from leukemia, training hard for a 10 km race.