Mark Maidwell-Smith, a 67-year-old from Truro, Cornwall, has defied the odds by completing one of the most prestigious running challenges in the world—all while battling prostate cancer.
His Tokyo Marathon finish fulfilled his dream of earning the prestigious 6 Star World Marathon Majors award after completing all.
A lifelong runner, Mark had long aspired to conquer the World Marathon Majors. However, in 2022, his prostate cancer diagnosis threw his plans into uncertainty. The diagnosis not only threatened his health but also cast doubt on whether he could continue running at an elite level.
“Honestly, it was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. Running is something I’ve always loved, and while I’ve proved to myself that I can do it whilst living with prostate cancer, I do wish I’d got checked sooner,” Mark admitted to UK Sports.
Now a vocal advocate for men’s health, Mark is using his story to inspire others to prioritize their wellbeing. As a dentist and University of Plymouth lecturer, he stresses work-life balance and proactive health checks to his dental students.
“It’s easy to think that you can just keep going, but your health is the most important thing in the world,” he says. “You need to look after yourself.”
“I really didn’t know if I’d get through the Tokyo Marathon, so I’d say it’s my proudest achievement to date,” Mark shared.
“But if just one person reads or hears about my story and gets checked, that would probably overtake it into first place.”
Mark’s journey underscores the importance of early medical intervention, perseverance, and the power of sport to drive meaningful change.
