Medal honours cancer fighter

Half Marathon medal commemorates Julianne Miszk

The runners who complete this year’s Niagara Falls Women’s HalfMarathon and 5 K will all receive a special medal commemorating an inspirational athlete.

In all, 1,600 medals bearing cancer patient Julianne Miszk’s likeness will be awarded at the finish line of the two runs taking place Sunday, June 3, in Niagara Falls.

Among the recipients will be Miszk herself. The 19-year-old St. Michael Catholic School Secondary and Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame inductee is expected to compete in the 5 K.

Miszk, who currently trains out of Niagara Regional Athletics, won track and field medals at the high school level, all while undergoing procedures and treatments for bone cancer in her jaw.

“Through these battles, she has continued to run with a positive attitude,” Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon race director Ross Robinson said of Miszk.

“She has been part of our event since 2012, and last year she and her friend Kathrine Switzer were our honourary starters.

“We are so proud to honour Julianne Miszk, a truly fearless, empowering and inspiring young lady.”

He noted Miszk’s parents Joe and Bernadette adopted “Cancer hates positivity” as the family’s slogan two years ago.

On the following weekend Miszk and her father are expected to ride a tandem bike from Toronto to Niagara Falls in the Big Ride to Cure Cancer.

The half marathon starts 8 a.m. at the Rapidsview parking area, across from Marineland. Runners go past the falls twice on a course that also takes them along the Niagara River.