AUSTIN, Texas -- If there's anything Austin native Donna Monroe can teach you, it's that if she can run the Austin Marathon, so can you.
At 70 years old, Monroe completed her run Sunday, but it's not her age that's the most surprising. Monroe has survived multiple cancers and being struck by a vehicle while out riding bikes with her partner.
"My brother Bennie and I call her our little cockroach because nothing is going to stop this woman," said daughter Heather Raley.
After the race Sunday, Raley told KVUE that Monroe has been a breast cancer survivor for more than 10 years, in addition to surviving ovarian cancer and leukemia at the same time nine years ago.
Since then, Raley said her mother has qualified and run the Boston Marathon, multiple half marathons, ridden the MS 150 multiple times, and a few others despite the many hurdles her health has placed in her path.
However, this year's Austin Marathon was a little more special.
Raley said Monroe's Partner, Mike, had originally signed up not knowing if Monroe was going to be able to run it herself.
"She was really sick and we didn't know if she would pull through three different times with pneumonia," she said.
But she did, and she was ready to run Sunday morning with Mike by her side.
"Although Mike doesn’t run as much as she does, his love and dedication to her, and always wanting to make sure she is OK, has kept him close by her side," said Raley.
Mike was there that day when she was hit while riding her tandem bicycle about two years ago. In fact, he was riding on that bicycle with her. Raley said both Mike and Monroe suffered major injuries, but the day after Monroe's body cast was removed, she was out running again.
"Her love for her family, faith in God and her huge support system of runners and cycle groups have kept her going," Raley added, also crediting the staff at Texas Oncology and Central Texas Pulmonary, who were critical in her treatment. "Even during her chemo treatments she would still cycle and run. Chemo one day, cycle and run … repeat the next week."
At 5 foot 4 inches tall, 118 pounds, with a white runner's cap hiding her blonde bob, and the support of her family and Mike by her side, Monroe was unstoppable Sunday morning.
"She was very emotional when I spoke with her on the phone," Raley said after the race. "But as her daughter, I can guarantee you they got a Whataburger and a Coke."
