Ethan Zohn is a "Survivor." Not only did he win the reality show back in 2002, he also battled a rare form of Hodgkin's Lymphoma less than a year ago. His cancer is now in remission.
On November 7, Zohn will celebrate what it's like to be healthy again, tackling the ING New York City Marathon to help raise money for his charity Grassroot Soccer.
Zohn is currentlly in Maine shooting an episode of the adventure show he hosts, "Outside Today." I caught up with him yesterday to talk about why he's running New York, his cancer and how his girlfriend, fellow "Survivor" star Jenna Morasca, convinced him to get in touch with his inner princess.
Marathon Examiner: You're running the ING New York City Marathon on November 7. You were also supposed to run it last year, right?
Ethan Zohn: And the year before actually. In 2008 I did a big campaign for my charity. I dribbled a soccer ball 550 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Washington, DC to raise money and awareness for Grassroot Soccer. I was supposed to run the marathon right in the middle of that but I tore my ACL.
And then last year I was coming back, getting fit and running again. Then all of the sudden I was diagnosed with cancer and I missed the 2009 New York City Marathon. Now I’m back and I’m healthy and I’m alive and I’m feeling great. I just can’t wait to crush this thing in a couple of weeks.
Marathon Examiner: Are you nervous at all? This hasn't exactly been a lucky event for you.
Ethan Zohn: No. Nothing can stop me this time. Growing up my father was a runner and he ran the New York City Marathon. He passed away from cancer when I was 14 and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Once I cross it off the list I don’t think I’m ever going to run again. No I’m kidding (he laughs).
Marathon Examiner: Have you done a marathon before?
Ethan Zohn: It's interesting, I’ve never done a marathon before but I did an endurance event called the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa, which is beautiful. It was 36 miles. But I'm excited to run New York. This is a dream of mine.
Marathon Examiner: How is your training going so far? I guess you're about to enter your taper, right?
Ethan Zohn: Training is going great. I have a half marathon this weekend and then I’m doing another 20-miler on the 17th and then I start my taper.
Marathon Examiner: Do you have a goal time?
Ethan Zohn: In a perfect world I would like to run a 4:20 which would be ten-minute miles. I’d be happy with that and any thing under that of course. But for me, just finishing is going to be pretty awesome.
As of January 12th of this year I was getting chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. One of the things I’m really excited about is being able to run down First Avenue and run past the hospital and not have to go in. I'm going to just keep running toward the finish line.
Another reason I’m really excited to run is my charity, Grassroot Soccer, which uses the power of soccer in the fight against HIV and AIDS. We actually have a team of 50 runners running in the marathon. I’m the captain of the team.
Last year we raised over $120,000 dollars and this year we want to raise over $200,000. That $200,000 would be enough to educate 8,000 of our students in Africa.
Marathon Examiner: I also read you’re going head to head with "The Bachelor" star Ryan Sutter in the race.
Ethan Zohn: Oh yeah. Good old Ryan Sutter. We’ve gone head to head before on the tv show "Fear Factor" back in 2005. He literally edged me out by .7 seconds. In the last challenge we had to jump a car over some junk and he beat me and took home the 50 grand. I mean, he’s my friend, so I didn’t care. We were playing for charity then too.
When I was supposed to run last year and I couldn’t, he stepped in for me, which was really nice of him, and he raised money for Grassroot Soccer. This year he’s running for First Descents and they’re a great charity too.
Marathon Examiner: Is your girlfriend, Jenna, going to run New York with you?
Ethan Zohn: I tried to get her to run with me but I couldn’t get her to do it. She convinced me to do the Disney Princess Half Marathon next April. After we signed up and paid the registration fee she told me that it’s a "women’s only" event. Well, not only women but I’d say like 98 percent women. I’m probably going to have to dress up in some kind of princess costume and it’s going to be pretty funny.
Marathon Examiner: Just make sure you don’t win.
Ethan Zohn: Oh trust me, I’m not going to win. Let’s be honest, there's going to be 7,000 women doing that race so it’s not so bad for me.
Marathon Examiner: What's up next for you? Do you have another marathon planned?
Ethan Zohn: I’m going to see how this one goes. Soccer is my thing and I haven’t been playing it that much so I’d love to start again. Prior to this I did a whole mess load of adventure races, 24-hour races, multisport endurance events like the EcoChallenge. I’d love to get back into that again too.
Marathon Examiner: So you're familiar with pain?
Ethan Zohn: I’m used to being in pain and the whole "Survivor" television show isn’t the most luxurious experience in the world either. Pain is my thing (he laughs).
Check here to make a donation and help Ethan Zohn's campaign to raise money for Grassroot Soccer when he runs the ING New York City Marathon on November 7.
Comments
Nice pick up and great interview!
This is a great interview! Zohn sounds like a quality man :)
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