Rodgers’ new Marathon project: Melanoma prevention

To many people, the name “Bill Rodgers” is synonymous with the Boston Marathon, as “Boston Billy” is a four-time winner of the historic event (1975, 1978-80).Almost four decades after Rodgers’ first Marathon win, he is trying to raise awareness of a danger to runners and to society at large: Melanoma.Rodgers is the honorary captain of the Melanoma Foundation New England (MFNE) Marathon team, “Running for Cover.” The group will run the 2013 Marathon on April 15.”Not only was I hit with cancer myself, but for me, my grandfather was hit with melanoma, my dad was hit with it, it’s in my family,” Rodgers said in a phone interview on Thursday. “I think cancer is a disease we don’t know much about, but we can do so much more about the causes of cancer.””Running for Cover” has a motto for the Marathon, and it is to run “SunAWARE,” according to a press release. This is an acronym that stands for “Avoid” (as in unprotected sunlight exposure), “Wear” (as in clothing that shields you from the sun), “Apply,” as in “recommended amounts of broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen at least” a half-hour before a run or marathon; “Routinely” (as in examining your body for skin changes, which should be reported to a parent/medical professional); and “Educate” (namely, family and community about these issues).With his family history and love of running outdoors, Rodgers sounded well aware of the risks of sustained sunlight.”Usually, we’re outside,” Rodgers said. “I was out there a heck of a lot, 130 miles a week in my youth, when I was trying to win Boston. Two hours a day, training twice a day.”Rodgers did say that sunlight has its benefits, such as vitamin D, but added, “You can overdo it. Someone’s life can be saved, pain and suffering eliminated. It’s a no-brainer, particularly if you’re a very light-skinned dude or dudette – Scotch-Irish like me. A lot of sun is tough on us.”He initially used sunblock only in the summers, he said, but added that “you learn how to avoid (skin cancer). Use skin protection in winter. I’d never done that much.”Asked about sunglasses or caps, Rodgers replied, “I’ve never been a hat wearer. I (do) sunscreen and glasses.”Next month, Rodgers will check in with his dermatologist.”If you have skin cancer in your family, maybe you’re a little more susceptible,” he said, adding, “You’ve got to take a look, for changes or marks, moles. If there’s a change, you’ve got to watch it.”As far as the “Educate” part of “SunAWARE,” Rodgers described a documentary that showed the dangers of tanning salons.”Women would undergo surgery,” he said. “They would take chunks out of their arms and legs.”Team “Running for Cover” has generated over $1 million toward melanoma education and prevention efforts across New England. MFNE, a nonprofit founded in 1999, has participated in the Marathon for 10 years.Rodgers said that this year’s “Running for Cover” team includes a dermatologist; a man whose sister died of melanoma; and a couple that has run the Manchester Marathon in New Hampshire.As for his own family history with melanoma, Rodgers said, “My grandfather died at 75. He was hit about (age) 70. My dad had surgery for melanoma in his 60s. He continued running.”Rodgers said that melanoma’s impact will be felt beyond the Marathon.”It’s not just runners, it’s everyone,” he said. “People who love the ocean, the beach. You’ve got to watch these things.”Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].