Man runs 100 miles for cancer research

Tired, sweaty and with aching feet, Tom Callas, a five-year cancer survivor and a detective with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, finished his 100-mile run from Yakima to Morton, Wash., on Friday.

Callas, wearing a shirt that read “Cancer Sucks,” ran two laps around the Morton High School track to kick off the East Lewis County Relay for Life before he took the stage in front of a group of about 300 Relay for Life participants.

“I am a five-year cancer survivor who hates to run,” Callas said to the crowd.

Callas originally said he planned to run 100 miles, but when he arrived, he said he actually ran 103 miles.

“The 101st mile was for who I think are the real heroes, our caregivers,” he said.

The 102nd mile was for all of those who lost their lives to cancer. The final mile was for all those still fighting cancer.

“Never give up,” he said. “Never stop fighting.”

Callas began running at 2:40 a.m. Wednesday in Yakima. By the time he reached Morton, 100 miles later, he had been awake for about 38 hours.