Breast cancer survivor to chase lifelong goal at TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Rebekah Park of Stouffville, Ont., went through eight rounds of chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer–and come October, she will take on her first marathon
Courtesy of Rebekah Park
When Rebekah Park was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2022, she remembers the dark cloud of uncertainty it brought. The lifelong runner from Stouffville, Ont., was among the less than one per cent of women under 30 to receive the diagnosis, and she knew, no matter the outcome, her life was about to change.
In early 2022, Park felt unusually tired and sensed something was off. She remembers being told by multiple doctors that breast cancer was unlikely because of her age (27). She persisted, pushed for a scan, and later a biopsy, which revealed several cancerous masses.
“I just knew something wasn’t right,” says Park. “I kept advocating for myself.”
Frustrated by delays, she flew to Korea for targeted treatment, completing eight rounds of chemotherapy before entering remission—a state she remains in three years later.
Now 30, Park is preparing for her first-ever marathon on Oct. 19 as part of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s women’s training program, which includes more than 2,400 female runners from all walks of life. The race’s program is designed to make running more accessible and inclusive for women, so they feel empowered to train with purpose and confidence.
Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s bold initiative to get more women racing
“I love the layout of the program,” Park says. I have the training plan printed and bring it everywhere I go.”
For Park, the program’s structure allows her to balance work, health and social life around her marathon training. But just as valuable is the sense of community the program provides: “We get weekly emails (with updates), and they are so inspiring. Knowing other women are cheering me on is a huge motivator.”
Park says breast cancer has changed the way she views her body. “The cancer treatment affected me physically, but when I run, it makes me feel confident and strong.”
She returned to running post-treatment cautiously, and remembers the slow weeks of run/walk intervals and the patient mileage-building to get herself back up to the distances she used to run. She credits her brother and sister-in-law for helping her with the process, running a half-marathon in 2024 and Around the Bay 30K in 2025.
“Running helps me forget about everything else and do something I couldn’t do three years ago,” she says.
Park says October’s marathon carries extra significance for her, as it falls during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “I know crossing that finish line will be emotional,” she says. “The ultimate goal is just to finish.”
