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Enduring for a Cure

September 21, 2018

Muhit Rahman Takes on The Grand To Grand Ultra Marathon to Raise Money For Prostate Cancer

 

In the last few minutes of our interview this week at the Prostate Cancer Foundation, I asked Muhit Rahman if there was anything that he would say to men who have had prostate cancer or were recently diagnosed. He paused and said, “Stretch yourself. Go outside your comfort zone.” Muhit will be putting that bit of advice into practice this week as he takes on one of the toughest ultra-marathons, the Grand to Grand (G2G Ultra) – a seven-day, 170 mile, self-supported (carrying your own supplies) endurance run through deserts, mountains, slot canyons and 18,000 feet of elevation gain.

Diagnosed in 2013 at the age of 57 (only months before his first marathon), you may ask yourself why a man who has accomplished so much and beaten prostate cancer would take on a grueling task like this. Muhit is not one to shy away from a challenge.  This upcoming race is yet another chapter in his commitment to family and running. Having joined the “Seven-Continents Club,” Muhit can count himself among an elite group of runners who have completed marathons on every continent. But, he also wants to help “pay it forward” to other men living with the disease. He is using the G2G Ultra as an opportunity to raise money for PCF while building awareness of prostate cancer and the research to defeat it.

Muhit and I talked more about prostate cancer awareness and why he is personally invested in sharing PCF’s message. When Muhit was diagnosed, he was aware of prostate cancer, but he did not know if a family connection existed. He hopes that running these races and sharing his story is a way for him to spark a conversation. He wants men and their families to openly discuss the issue and get a better understanding of their family history and personal risk.

I asked Muhit what his goal with the ultra-marathon was. “My goal is not to win it. There are some serious professional ultra-marathoners out there. My goal is to simply finish the entire 170-mile race and go on to the next one.”  I asked him what advice he would have for other men out there diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Get past being uncomfortable or embarrassed. It’s your life. Take charge of it! Chances are it [prostate cancer] will affect you in some way. Be responsible for your health.”

Muhit will step outside his comfort zone this Sunday, September 23rd as he begins his weeklong adventure. He hopes this will inspire others to use their passion, whether it be running or anything else, to raise funds and awareness for PCF.

If you would like to make a pledge to support his goal of $500/mile, you can do so here www.pcf.org/muhit. Better yet, if Muhit’s story inspired you, then join Many vs Cancer and start your own fundraising activity or event for PCF.