The Great North Run and a cross bay walk - as well as positive news about his cancer treatment - are part of the latest edition of Phil McGrath's '60 Before 60 Challenge' Diary.
The popular Beyond Radio presenter is well into his '60 Before 60 Challenge' aiming to do all the things he's always wanted to, but never got round to before.
Phil, who presents The Quick Draw Radio Show on Monday nights on Beyond Radio, turns 60 in April 2025.
He also works for Citizens' Advice in Lancaster, helping families who have been affected by cancer to claim benefits they are entitled to.
Phil has been diagnosed with non-curative lung cancer, after twice beating the disease.
He has undergoing a course of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment, and says that beating cancer again has been added to his list of challenges.
Week 24
Back to chemo this week, a bit of a difficult couple of days but plodding through – trying to stay focussed on the recovery!
At the end of the week we met up with Bri and Helen for Harry Potter themed crazy golf “A Hole in the Wand” 43/60 at Blackpool. A really good laugh – and some goodies at the end – even though I couldn’t manage a hole in one. Some interesting potions awarded at the end!
Completed reading Wellasley Tudor Pole by Gerry Fenge.
Completed a couple of runs with the Heron Flyers this week – Halton and Hest Bank alongside a Cowan Bridge Run – 15 miles in total.
Week 25
Struggled with the reaction to chemo this week so didn’t manage a run with the Heron Flyers although I had recovered enough to complete the St John’s Hospice Cross Bay Walk 44/60 this Saturday. The weather was kind to us although the “river” had split in two and meant crossing knee deep in water twice! Another well organised crossing from the crew of the Hospice and the Kings Guide Michael Wilson.
Sunday I met with the Beyond crowd for some axe throwing with Black Axe Throwing Co 45/60. A great laugh, proving that I’m certainly not cut out to be a Viking! I really enjoyed learning the throwing technique with the really enthusiastic team of coaches. Maybe a couple of additional sessions would improve my aim!
Completed reading The Last Gospel by David Gibbins.
Week 26
Another quiet week punctuated by another scan. The running took another back seat due to feeling rubbish, although I’m going to have to get myself into gear if I’m wanting to complete the Great North Run in a couple of weeks! The weather was a bit naff this week too!
Managed a tentative run at the weekend with the Trailblazers along Borwick and Priest Hutton – about six miles.
Week 27
Some, tentative, good news from the scan – it’s looking like the chemo is beginning to work, reducing the tumour’s size and beginning to get it under control. It looks like one lung is almost completely clear and the tumour in the other has halved in size. Full results due in a couple of weeks but – fingers crossed – looking really positive!
Chemo was a challenge this week. Difficulty with getting a needle in a vein that would take the chemo didn’t help matters but all done now and potentially the last I.V. treatment I’ll have for a while.
Managed to get two runs in with the Heron Flyers this week, a five mile and a six mile at Hest Bank.
Completed Unruly by David Mitchell.
Week 28
The Bank Holiday this week was spent at Cartmel Races 46/60 where a really lucky 14-1 winner meant the whole day cost us about 70p! Great to meet up with Bri and Helen for the obligatory Cartmel picnic too.
A very wet run through Hest Bank and on to the Gateway with the Heron Flyers was followed by a much longer run on Thursday, where I was able to run from work to the start in Hest Bank adding about three miles to the run – hopefully getting miles in the legs for the GNR! We were also treated to the chippy run afterwards.
A family wedding in Burnley at the weekend was followed by Vintage By the Sea 47/60 where Quick Draw joined Roy Ward for the Decades outdoor broadcast, without the safety net of a script! I took the 1960s as my set and focussed on summer, seaside and Morecambe visitors as my theme.
Week 29
Some brilliant news this week as the scan confirmed that the chemo was working and was getting the tumour under control – woo hoo!
Running has changed venue with Heron Flyers and we’re now running from Aldcliffe where I managed two runs this week, getting some miles in before the GNR.
WE travelled up to South Shields on Friday and then we were able to do the Fulwell Quarry Parkrun as a warm up for the Great North Run 48/60 . Met up with friends in North Shields for the carb load before the run. Three of us set off for the GNR on Sunday morning catching the 8am bus and then heading off for the start line, meeting up with Gemma at the start.
Our start seemed to be earlier than expected – which was fine as it was throwing down with rain and we were all starting to get cold! The run was great, the crowds were out in force even in the rain and the run was really enjoyable – though tough. George steamed past at the 10 mile mark and I’d lost the rest well before that but I plodded on and achieved a 2hr 54min time which, under the circumstances, I was well pleased with!
Completed The Deor Hoard by Hana Videer
Week 30
The halfway point!
Spent the week catching up with friends and family, Mum stayed with us for a night at Whitley Bay and then a visit from an old friend – a swim in the parks swimming pool and then a night of Bingo, Quizzing and virtual horse racing!
An ice cream run from Whitley Bay to Blyth, along the coast and back was hard work after the GNR.
Back to Lancaster form more blood tests and the next round of chemo – thankfully targeted chemo – tablets rather than the I.V.
We also visited George and Clemmies Farm in Blackburn 49/60 to pick some sunflowers (and partake in some ice cream – the lucky dip ice cream is highly recommended!) also got some lovely photographs with sunflowers and butterflies.
Read more about Phil's 60 Before 60 Challenge in his Diary extracts below.
DIARY: Beyond Radio's Phil McGrath passes the 40 mark on his 60 Before 60 Challenge - Beyond Radio
DIARY: Beyond Radio presenter fighting cancer continues his '60 Before 60' challenge - Beyond Radio
Beyond Radio records song for World Mental Health Day
Beyond Radio to host four events at Lancaster Music Festival
Beyond Radio to host Lancaster Christmas Lights Switch On for fourth year
INTERVIEW: Teenage YouTube presenter Matilda Walden joins Beyond Radio
Beyond Radio presenter fighting cancer completes his fifth Great North Run
