Rod defies all odds to get back on track at Don Valley

Rod defies all odds to get back on track at Don Valley

When veteran athlete Rod Clark was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 82 he thought his running days were over.

But just two years later, Rod, a former plumber from Richmond, Sheffield, has fought the life limiting illness to get back on track at the city’s Don Valley Stadium.

Rod underwent extensive treatment and a life saving operation at The Royal Hallamshire Hospital to remove the tumour and within six month of the procedure, achieved his target of walking a whole mile on the treadmill at Don Valley’s Fitness Unlimited gym.

Rod, who has used the stadium’s facilities since it opened in the early 1990’s, joined Fitness Unlimited 10 years ago and is now one of the oldest members of the health and fitness scheme.

With a passion for athletics which has taken him all over the country to compete in the Northern, Yorkshire and British Veteran competitions, and seen him win more than 70 medals in his 30 years of training, Rod still can’t get enough exercise, despite his age.

He said: “I've always loved running - ever since I was a youngster growing up in Sheffield and I’ve always maintained a very dedicated attitude towards my running and general health.

“When I found out about the cancer, it was a real shock, but the Fitness Unlimited staff have been so supportive and given me so much encouragement. I realised it was important to keep fit a very long time ago, but I never expected to still be exercising at 84 years old!”

As the third eldest member of Fitness Unlimited, Rod trains at Don Valley three times a week, mainly using the treadmills and rowing machines in the gym.

Rod said: “I really get a buzz from training at Don Valley and I enjoy acting as a role model for the young athletes, even though most of them beat me now!

“Winning isn't quite as important to me these days though. I just feel incredibly happy and privileged to still be here and staying active after all these years."

Rod started running at the age of seven and travelled across the UK to compete in the long jump, triple jump, and sprint until he was 82. One of his most memorable moments in athletics was sharing the Don Valley track with one of the country's greatest ever Olympians.

He added: “I was doing my regular fitness work on the track and I'd reached the home leg when I turned round and there was Kelly Holmes. She shook my hand and then carried on running. It was fantastic to be training alongside such a sporting legend.”

Fitness Unlimited, Sheffield’s most popular health and fitness scheme, celebrated its 10th birthday last month. Since launching in January 2000, it has helped to improve the health of more than 100,000 people in the city.

Pat Smith, general manager of Don Valley, which is operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: “Rod is a truly inspirational character who has shown great courage and spirit to beat cancer. He is such a popular figure and it is fantastic to see him back in the gym at Don Valley.

“At the heart of Fitness Unlimited is making health and fitness accessible to all and we have members from the age of 16 through to 85. The way Rod has overcome his illness shows just how vitally important health and fitness is whatever your age.”