Marathon Monday surpasses $210,000 for cancer research

The sun hadn’t even begun to rise when Patrick Law and Dylan Thornborough stepped up to the first tee, initiating play for the 14th Annual Marathon Monday fundraiser for cancer. Instead of the usual Callaway or Top Flite, their first shot lit up the course, using a glow ball to slice through the pre-dawn darkness. It was the first of 226 holes played in 18 hour marathon and although more than 100 fewer holes this year, both men commented that in many ways this was the toughest yet.

“We spent a little more time waiting on other groups this year, which causes the body to stiffen up,” commented Thornborough, who was also battling jet lag after returning the previous night from watching The Open in Ireland.

Law agreed saying, “Every year gets more taxing on the body, this past year was probably the toughest in the moment, but I didn’t feel too bad the next day. The morning was overcast, however the July heat rolled in and by the end of the day, we were ready to be done with it, but then we remind ourselves why we do it and the cause is what keeps us powering through.”

Since its start in 2012, Marathon Monday has grown well beyond its original goal of raising $1,000 while playing 99 holes. They smashed both goals raising over $5,800 and golfing 126 holes.

This year’s efforts pushed the running total past $210,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Between Law, Thornborough, and eight other marathon groups, more than $25,000 has been raised so far, with pledges still coming in. All teams played over 100 holes, with Wyatt Rapsky and Brett McNabb recording 144 at the Minnedosa course.

“We try to come up with something new to keep it fresh and exciting. It can be challenging but we spend a lot of the time leading up throwing ideas back and forth,” said Thornborough who resides in Lethbridge, Alberta. “It is becoming increasingly difficult, especially after setting the world record, it’s kind of like; where do we go from here,” surmised Law who added thoughtfully, “Our focus has gone away from personal achievements with the event to growing the reach with other Marathons and encouraging them to achieve their goals while attracting greater fundraising value.”
For both men, the effort is worth it. “We all have been affected by cancer in one way or another and we never lose sight of that,” Law reflected.

Aside from the main focus and their love of the sport, Thornborough said another win is simply spending the day on the links with his childhood friend, “Patty.” “As the years roll by it seems harder and harder for us to get together, especially living two provinces apart and with both families growing and getting busier,” he said.

The pair also keep a running tally of yearly bragging rights; Thornborough claimed victory this year, though Law still holds the overall lead. “The other win for us is how exciting it is to welcome more and more teams who are doing their own marathons each year.”

Fourteen years on, Marathon Monday has become about far more than holes played or dollars raised. It’s about endurance, friendship, and a community of supporters determined to drive every shot closer to a cure.

HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF MARATHON MONDAY

Dylan Thornborough and Patrick Law began Marathon Monday in 2012 to raise money towards cancer research after having the devastating disease affected them personally. Their goal was to raise $1,000 while golfing 99 holes. They surpassed it by raising $5,800 and golfing 126 holes. “We were overwhelmed and grateful then and continue to be today by all the support we received from our family, friends and community,” said Thornborough during a recent interview. Law added how much they appreciate the teams of golfers who have joined them in their quest by holding separate Marathons at various clubs throughout Manitoba and Alberta.

Each year, the two men have continued to surpass their monetary and golfing goals. This year the total surpassed $210,000 in funds and the number of total holes played by the two men total over 2,400 during the one day event. Last year smashing the unofficial world record of holes played in 12 hours carding 333.

While the structure of the annual fundraiser has greatly changed and evolved over the years with the event growing to teams of golfers taking part, a few things will never change, one of which is Dylan and Patrick will always hold the golfing marathon at their home town club despite having not lived here for a number of years. Dylan and his family reside in Lethbridge Alberta where he is Director of Sales with the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club and Patrick is the Golf Pro and General Manager at Minnedosa Golf and Country Club.

Dylan Thornborough, (left) and Patrick Law completed their 14th annual Marathon Monday on July 28th and have now raised over $210,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society over the years, smashing their initial goal of $1,000 when they first launched their plan. PHOTO SUBMITTED