Battling cancer wasn't going to stop Bill Schaeffer from running in the Stratton Faxon New Haven Road Race. As far as he's concerned, it's an annual tradition.
"Here they come William Schaeffer, James McCormack. Bill Schaeffer waging a courageous battle with cancer," exclaimed the announcer as Schaeffer crossed the finish line.
"Top day, the absolute top day for racing for me," said Schaeffer.
The 62-year-old Guilford man squeezed the race in between more than 70 hours of chemotherapy and starting radiation. He's determined to keep on moving.
"They told me I can keep training through the radiation but there's going to be a fatigue factor so I have to pay attention to that, and it's being smart, so running yeah, but racing maybe not," said Schaeffer.
"He's been training. He's been doing his running, biking and swimming which he does almost every day of the week. I'm sure he's cut back a few miles and hours, but everyday he's out there doing something," said George Sanders, a friend of Schaeffer.
Schaeffer joined about 6,000 athletes in the race, which included the USA Men's and Women's 20K Championship. This year, 45-year-old Colleen De Reuck took home the top prize in the women's race. It's her third win in New Haven.
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"It was beautiful weather, nice and cool. And there were spots on the road where there were a lot of people cheering, which was exciting," said De Reuck.
But no matter how fast they crossed the finish line, one thing remained the same for all the runners. They were happy to celebrate Labor Day with a run through the Elm City.
