Runners to unite to honour Ken (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Runners to unite to honour Ken

2:51pm Thursday 11th June 2009 in

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A RACE in honour of the inspirational Rossendale Harrier Ken Taylor will be held on Saturday, June 20.

Last season was a truly memorable one for Ken as he became both the British and the English Fell Running Champion in the over 60s age band, his first FRA titles in any age group, although he has represented the Harriers for many years, excelling in endurance events.

He won the elite class of the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon in the mid 80s after previous second and third places and also the Manx Mountain Marathon, at 31 miles the longest one day individual event in the FRA calendar.

He took part in the Three Peaks Yacht Race where competitors have to sail up the coast from Barmouth breaking off their journey to run up Snowdon, Scarfell Pike and Ben Nevis – the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland.

Partnered by Pete Irwin, he won the ‘King of the Mountain’ title for the quickest combined running times.

Towards the end of last season though he began to suffer tiredness in his legs and breathlessness, and an endoscopy revealed a large cancerous lump where the neck of the oesophagus meets the stomach.

A nine-week course of chemotherapy followed, then after a recovery period, the lump and his stomach were surgically removed in March.

He is now undergoing a further course of chemotherapy which he is scheduled to finish at the end of this month.

His previous supreme level of fitness has been key in helping him to cope with his gruelling treatment, but still he suffers sickness and tiredness so watching the race and meeting old friends will give him a much needed shot in the arm.

He is even wondering whether he might manage to walk the first lap.

Andy O’Sullivan is organising the race from the Cock and Magpie pub on Cockhall Lane in Whitworth, Rochdale (the A671 Burnley Road) and among the beneficiaries will be the Rossendale Harriers Juniors Fund.

It is a wheel-measured 5,000 metres which includes two laps of the scenic Cowm Reservoir. The start is at 3pm and you will be able to enter on the day.