George races back into life
AS 5000 runners crowded behind the starting line, George Erin Nicoll was right at the back but already feeling on top of the world.
Six months to the day after the 35-year-old from Labrador underwent a lung transplant, he proudly took part in Saturday’s Southern Cross University 10km Run.
Mr Nicoll was born with cystic fibrosis and said that thanks to his recent lifesaving operation, he had even better lung function than some of his friends.
“I had three to six months to live,” he said.
“I was on oxygen for 24 hours a day. (Now) my lung function is at 108 per cent ... some of my friends have 80 per cent.”
Mr Nicoll said the last time he had been able to run he was 14 years old and the fact he was now able to compete was “an amazing feeling”.
“It’s amazing, I have no words,” he said, adding his lung function used to only be around 14 per cent.
Meanwhile Brisbane runner Todd Dennis competed in honour of his late father and alongside his 16-year-old daughter Emily.
As they crossed the finish line, Emily cried tears of joy, running her personal best.
“I was really close to (my grandfather),” she said.
“He always believed in us, told us to do our best.”
More than 9000 people hailing from 47 countries competed in the 10km Run the Star 5.7km Challenge on Saturday.
Timothy Lefroy from the ACT and Eloise Wellings of NSW came first in the 10km with times of 29:48 and 32.55 respectively.
In the 5.7km race, Courtney Scott came in first at 20.08 in the women’s division while Cody Shanahan ran first at 17.19.