Incredible scenes as Richard Scolyer completes 250th Parkrun

Renowned pathologist Professor Richard Scolyer has completed his 250th Parkrun just months after he was told he didn’t have long to live. See the footage.

Professor Richard Scolyer finishes his 250th Parkrun in Haberfield. Photo Jeremy Piper

As Professor Richard Scolyer crossed the finish line of his local suburban running loop for the 250th time, it started drizzling. 

Moments later as he stood by three balloons spelling out 250 surrounded by friends, family and strangers who had become like family, the rain cleared and made way for a rainbow forming over the reserve in Haberfield.

“My heart’s touched … one of the challenges of having cancer is the worry for the future but there is more to life,” Prof Scolyer said after reaching the finish line with his wife Katie Nicoll in tow. 

“We are all going to end up at some period where we’re going to finish our lives, I want to make the most of my time.”

The Melanoma Institute co-director was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2023 when he defied his prognosis through an experimental immunotherapy treatment that kept the cancer at bay for almost two years.

But in March, Prof Scolyer revealed the aggressive glioblastoma had returned and he had just months left to live.

Despite the prognosis, the former endurance athlete remained committed to his goal of hitting 250 laps at the Greenway Parkrun.

Asked if he felt the skies had cleared just for him, the former Australian of the Year said humbly: “I don’t know about that … but it was a beautiful day.”

The friends and family the Sunday Telegraph spoke to on that Saturday morning run felt otherwise.

“The universe was looking out for us today,” his daughter Emily, 21, said.

“Time is not promised, it makes everything so much more special.”

Professor Richard Scolyer finishes his 250th Parkrun in Haberfield. Photo Jeremy Piper

His wife Katie agreed that there was something special in the air as almost 590 runners supported Prof Scolyer in achieving the ambitious goal he had set himself.

“I think that’s the most perfect rainbow I have ever seen,” she said.

“It was beautiful.”

Ms Nicoll, who isn’t a runner, said she only started joining her husband on the runs after he got sick.

On Saturday, she did her personal best time according to family members.

“The pressure was on to keep going and it was nice to run next to Richard,” she said.

“I’m not as fast as him.”

Professor Richard Scolyer finishes his 250th Parkrun with wife Kate at Richard Murden Reserve in Haberfield. Photo Jeremy Piper

The event marks the biggest ever turnout at the Haberfield Parkrun.

Prof Scolyer was coy about his next challenge, saying he is not sure if he will be able to make the 15km City2Surf but Ms Nicoll said she had noticed her husband ducking out for an extra jog or two, perhaps in quiet preparation.

“He’s entered (City2Surf) … I do notice he has been ducking out for an extra jog here and there,” she said.

Supporters from the neighbourhood along with friends and family from other parts of Sydney and even interstate celebrated with cupcakes after Prof Scolyer and his wife hit the finish line.

Among them was his older brother Mark and his partner Anna.

Mr Scolyer said the family had prioritised spending time together since Prof Scolyer’s March update about his cancer returning and leaving him with just months to live.

“The last four weeks he’s been saying ‘I don’t know if I’ll get there’ but now he’s here, it’s fantastic to see,” Mr Scolyer said of his brother.

“I got quite emotional.”

Professor Richard Scolyer finishes his 250th Parkrun with wife Kate at Richard Murden Reserve in Haberfield. Photo Jeremy Piper

Despite being on borrowed time, the family has also squeezed in special celebrations including travelling to Tasmania for their father’s 90th birthday and for Mother’s Day.

The Brothers have also travelled to Darwin for a trip with their partners and celebrate both their daughters’ 21st birthday just weeks apart.

“We’ve had trips to Tasmania to see our parents … we had a really nice trip down for dad’s 90th which was at Easter,” he said.

“Rich and Dad were the centre of attention, that was lovely.”

Prof Scolyer’s son Matt, 19, said Saturday’s milestone run was a testament to his dad’s determination.

“He set his mind to something, he worked towards this as a goal since he really got sick,” he said.

Asked what’s next for the family, he said: “We’ll keep running”.

Originally published as Incredible scenes as Richard Scolyer completes 250th Parkrun