On the run to help others beat cancer
Every day at 4am, 20-year-old Connor Steer wakes up to go running.
The early morning wake up is not driven by fitness, but to support loved ones battling cancer.
The Waikato University law student has been running once everyday for just over 1050 days as part of the global #outruncancer campaign.
He runs for others, but every step has been one towards self discovery.
‘‘The amount I have learned about myself and the world I live in, especially about what others go through, has been the great equaliser.’’
The #outruncancer campaign was started by Vanessa Oshima, a former Matamata College student, now living in Tokyo.
She is the first New Zealand woman to complete the world’s six marathon majors, Tokyo, London, Berlin, New York, Boston and Chicago.
She started running every day to support people she loved who were battling cancer, including high school friend Caroline Steer, Connor’s mum.
In 2015, Vanessa asked Connor to join the movement, setting himself a goal of running 50 consecutive days.
Connor reached day 50 of his run and decided to go to 100 days and then 1000.
He runs 5km, followed by a two-hour gym session.
‘‘By 8am I am ready for what the day has to throw at me.’’
Next year for his 21st birthday, Connor wants to join Vanessa for the Tokyo Marathon.
His aim will be to finish it at a time to qualify for the remaining five marathon majors.
He completed the Auckland Marathon in 2016.