Father-daughter duo to compete in Canberra Marathon Festival

Mark Malloy and 13-year-old Maisie, from MacArthur, will participate in the upcoming 10km Fun Run to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. The pair plan to complete the run in memory of Mr Malloy's father, John, who died from the disease four years ago.

The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, known as PanKind, is a charity very close to Mr Malloy's heart. His beloved father passed away on April 14, 2018 with the Canberra Times Marathon Festival a few days out from the anniversary of his death.

"For us it will be an awesome time just to get out and do this as a daddy and daughter, to raise some money, and also do it in memory of him," Mr Molloy said.

"My daughter she's very passionate about this, it will be the first time she's run anything at that distance and she's really determined to make the whole way around without stopping because she's doing it for [her grandfather]."

PanKind is working towards early detection of pancreatic cancer, which often doesn't show any signs or symptoms.

"That particular cancer is very much known as the silent killer," Mr Molloy said.

"It's something that by the time people are showing signs and symptoms of the tumor, often it's at a point where very little can be done because it's linked to associated organs.

"Often when people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer they've just got a few weeks or months to live, which can be absolutely devastating for families.

"So anything we can do to create further awareness, screening, or research, and... hopefully into the future a cure for something that's proven so deadly would be phenomenal."

In preparation for the event the dedicated duo have been meeting up with friends, who are also competing, twice a week to run around Lake Tuggeranong.

The training group, which includes some very energetic pooches, have named themselves Daddies, Daughters and Dogs.

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The bond between the two has strengthened with the opportunity to share experiences and pass passions from one generation to the next.

"It's going to be hard but seeing that determination of spirit and [Maisie's] drive to push forward, also her honoring her grandfather in doing it, means a lot to me," Mr Molloy said.

"We've got some good kilometers in our legs but it's going to be a challenge on the day.

"I'm really looking forward to having a crowd and having that vibe to run together."

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