Going The Distance: Local Runner Aims For The Finish Line After Cancer Diagnosis

Last summer, Millersville resident Dave Turner was preparing to run the 2025 Marine Corps Marathon when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in June. The diagnosis was surprising, because since the 69-year-old was always active and a lifelong runner. Turner had surgery in August 2025, followed immediately by chemotherapy in September. The Marine Corps Marathon, which would have been his third, would have to wait.

“On the day of my first chemotherapy infusion, I made a commitment to keep moving — walk if I could, crawl if I had to, but keep moving,” Turner said. He learned neuropathy may be a side effect of the treatment, and he refused to let cancer or its treatment slow him down.

Walking became an important part of Turner’s physical and mental recovery. He told his physician he was going to walk at least 100 miles during each of the eight stages of chemotherapy.

“There wasn’t a grand plan in the beginning. The objective was simply to do what I could that day and keep moving forward,” Turner explained.

He walked 130 miles between the first and second sessions and clocked a 12-minute mile. By the end of eight chemotherapy sessions, he logged 654 miles - short of his 800-mile goal, but still an amazing accomplishment. Walking led to light running during treatment and early recovery, and eventually running became training.

“Yes, walking was a goal, but it also helped clear my mind, think about things, and remind me of everything I was grateful for,” he said. “I cannot explain it, but I knew I wasn’t going to die from cancer. I wasn’t going to let anyone write the story too early.”

Remarkably, Turner ran the Altra Sole of the City 10K in Baltimore in the spring of 2026 with a time of 56:17. He ran the Annapolis 10-Miler in August with a time of 1:35:19, placing fifth in his age group. In September he finished the Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Half Marathon in 2:02:27, placing third in the 70 and up age group and 71st overall among approximately 300 runners.

Turner credits a large team for his triumph over cancer, including his trainer, Devin Conway at REPS Performance, and Brianna Spinnato, a physical therapist with FX Physical Therapy, with whom he began training in July.

“For Dave, our plan was a gradual progression of strength and conditioning training,” Conway said. “The fact that he’s come this far without ever having any coaching is simply amazing. I’m thankful he trusted me in his journey.”

Conway added that his approach to training Turner really wasn’t much different from how he prepares a younger runner; Turner just moved at a slower progression.

During his training, Turner experienced sciatica issues, and further test revealed several slight pelvic fractures. Spinnato worked on his flexibility and mobility.

“Dave’s progression has been just incredible; he’s a very hard worker,” Spinnato explained. “The biggest challenge has been reminding him to dial it back sometimes. He’s so ambitious that we need to be cautious not to overtrain.”

Turner’s experience led him to develop Walking For A Purpose, an initiative created around the idea that something as simple as walking can help people begin moving forward physically, mentally and sometimes in life itself.

“The message of Walking For A Purpose isn’t really about running or marathons,” Turner explained. “It’s about starting where you are, and sometimes around the block counts. And that’s OK.”

Last month Turner received news that his cancer was in remission. Though his pelvic fractures are not completely healed, don’t expect him to slow down any time soon. Turner insists his story isn’t about running 26.2 miles; rather, it’s about the hundreds of smaller steps required to get back to the point where running a marathon was even possible, and appreciating that he has the opportunity to try.

“I’m now 70. Returning to the Marine Corps Marathon starting line will be important, but simply getting back to the starting line may mean even more,” Turner said ahead of the race. “I don’t know yet how the Marine Corps Marathon story ends. That’s probably as it should be. After October 25, there may be another chapter to tell.”

Learn more about Walking For A Purpose at www.walkingforapurpose.com.