By Cancer Council Queensland

Mount Coolum local Donella Taylor will lace up and run the Gold Coast Airport Marathon this year with one simple goal – to honour her mum who passed away from cancer last year.

Ms Taylor had pledged to take part in the event last year, but the night before the marathon, her mum sadly passed away from lung cancer.

Now, she will run 42.195km in memory of her mum – her biggest champion – and raise funds for Cancer Council Queensland, the main beneficiary of the annual event.

The 2016 Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on 2 – 3 July.

Ms Taylor said she was looking forward to the challenge.

“I saw first-hand just how much cancer can affect someone – so I need to challenge myself to honour mum’s journey,” she said.

“It will be with a heavy heart, but a body and spirit full of determination and pride to do my mum proud and show her all the amazing traits that she has passed on to me.

“I will be running with my great friend and training buddy, wearing a shirt we had made up to show mum our support to her while she was still here. My family will be cheering me on and I know my mum will be with me in spirit to spur me on when it gets tough.”

Ms Taylor has been busy training for her first marathon and encouraged others to do the same.

“I would encourage anyone who can to get behind this inspirational event –  go out and challenge yourself and help beat cancer while you’re at it,” she said.

Cancer Council Queensland Regional Fundraising Coordinator Esther Attewell said those who take part in the 38th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon give hope to Queenslanders touched by cancer.

“With your help, Cancer Council Queensland can continue to fund life-saving research and provide local support to loved ones affected by cancer,” she said.

“More than 61,000 Australian lives have been saved by improvements in cancer prevention, screening and treatment over the past 20 years – we need your help in 2016 to change even more lives for the better.”

Visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au to register today and select Cancer Council Queensland as your charity of choice.

Participants can take part in either the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge or 4km and 2km Junior Dash.

For more about Cancer Council Queensland visit cancerqld.org.au or call 13 11 20 for information and support.