Ultramarathoner Sam Brattin Defies Cancer, Conquers Derry Marathon’s Toughest Course

In the recent London Marathon, a new world record was set for the number of finishers, with over 56,000 participants crossing the line. Among them was Sam Brattin, a runner from Derry who completed the race in a time of 3 hours and 38 minutes. While this time might not turn heads in elite running circles, the journey that led him to that finish line speaks volumes about resilience, commitment, and the often-unseen mental fortitude that defines experienced endurance athletes.

Sam’s narrative isn’t just about triumph; it intertwines with profound personal challenges. Losing his mother at just fifteen and subsequently being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at a young age are significant events that would shake anyone. Yet, for Sam, these experiences became part of a broader perspective on endurance — not only as a physical endeavor but also as a mental and emotional landscape to navigate. His story illustrates how endurance is as much about managing obstacles and setbacks as it is about crossing finish lines.

People familiar with endurance sports understand that training goes beyond physical preparation; it also includes mental resilience. Athletes know there are days when showing up is the hardest part. Sam’s commitment to maintaining a routine during and after his cancer treatment speaks directly to this mindset. He understood the importance of normalcy in his life, showing up to classes, engaging with friends, and even participating in Park Runs. These choices reflect a pacing strategy that mirrors training for long distances: it’s about finding a rhythm, managing energy, and most importantly, maintaining the drive to push through when challenges arise.

His mathematics teacher, Michaela Doherty, noted changes in his demeanor and energy levels during his studies. Her awareness, combined with Sam’s openness about his health, underscores the importance of community in endurance training. Surrounding ourselves with supportive individuals can provide a mental buffer, fostering an environment where athletes can thrive. Sam’s ability to communicate his struggles and his teacher’s willingness to engage in that dialogue reflect the foundational team dynamics that endurance athletes often cultivate.

Just as athletes adapt their training to accommodate injuries or life changes, Sam adapted his approach to life amid treatment. His determination to complete his A-Level examinations while starting chemotherapy epitomizes the strategic adjustments that seasoned athletes often make to continue their journeys. For seasoned runners, this kind of adaptation is a familiar dance — balancing aspirations with realism, personal endurance with the reality of physical limits.

Resilience in endurance sports is often borne out of repetitive cycles of struggle and growth. Sam’s path was no exception. The commitment to train through the fatigue of chemotherapy treatments is not unlike pushing through the final miles of a marathon when fatigue and doubt can seep in. Sam’s proactive attitude, choosing to maintain some semblance of his normal running routine despite treatment, speaks to the power of small victories — the ability to lace up your shoes and step outside, regardless of the circumstances.

After months of grueling treatments, the diagnosis of remission became a pivotal moment for Sam. This scenario could easily translate to endurance racing, where every consistent training session, every healthy meal, every moment spent recovering contributes to the bigger picture of performance. Athletes know the feeling of facing setbacks but ultimately relying on perseverance to reach a breakthrough — the kind of satisfaction that comes from crossing the finish line, symbolizing not just an end to the race but also a testament to what has been overcome.

Competing in the London Marathon served as a new chapter, a meaningful goal that encapsulated his journey. Sam ran as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust, knowing that his experiences could have implications beyond his personal narrative. This choice reflects how endurance sports often foster community, transforming personal effort into collective motivation and encouragement. In endurance training, understanding one’s purpose can be a powerful motivator — a reminder that each step taken can inspire others.

As Sam crossed the finish line alongside his girlfriend Maebh, it marked the culmination of physical preparation and mental tenacity, woven tightly with the threads of his life experiences. This moment extended beyond his personal victory; it resonated with a broader audience of those undergoing their own journeys, whether through health challenges, personal losses, or the rigors of rigorous training.

For athletes, Sam’s story sends a message about the nature of endurance — it isn’t always about the extremes of success or failure but about the cumulative process of training, resilience, and community support. On days when the motivation wanes or the body protests, it’s important to find solace in the routine, the training, and the finish line ahead, however far it may seem.

The truth is this: each long session we embark on is steeped in sacrifice and commitment, just like Sam’s journey. We face our challenges with a sense of pacing, understanding that resilience is built in the quiet moments — in the preparation, in the recovery, and in the miles logged, much like the ones that Sam ran when facing his own battles. Carry this thought into your next long session; the road is as much about the process as it is the destination.