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Roy Bacot | Captain Roy Runs

@captainroyruns

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Captain Roy | Delta pilot (11y)✈️ + USAF (21y)
Lung cancer survivor (lobectomy '21 • ~45% right 🫁)
5-min walks to 6 ⭐️ Grateful to breathe & run 🏃‍♂️

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130th Boston Marathon was an all-time PR for me!!! I completed one marathon 13 years ago with a 4:18:58 time. It was the only marathon prior to my lung cancer diagnosis. Since then, I’ve completed 5 marathons, progress isn’t always linear…..So happy! Never give up, just keep showing up!#captainroyruns #lungcancersurvivor #5yearsstrong #boston130 #runners taken in Boston, Massachusetts by @captainroyruns

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6 months ago

“Don’t base your future on the worst day of your life”. Just absolutely love that.

Roy had lots of wisdom to share from his journey with lung cancer. First that you don’t need to be a smoker to get lung cancer. That news in the medical world doesn’t get better with age, so don’t ignore symptoms. And if you’ve served, definitely put your name on the burn pit registry.

Shoutout to the @lungevity community for their inspiring work. by @captainroyruns

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10 days ago

Five years ago this month they took a lobe of my lung (approx 45% of right lung). Since then I’ve crossed 5 marathon finish lines.
From short, supported hospital hallway walks to the Boston marathon and everything in between, I celebrate it all, especially on this 5-year anniversary.
Non-smoker (lung cancer isn’t just a smokers disease). No family history.
Running didn’t just heal my body… it saved my spirit.
If you’re in the middle of your own comeback, keep showing up. Progress isn’t linear. Keep moving.
What’s one step you’re taking today?
#captainroyruns #5yearsstrong #lungcancersurvivor #lobectomy #runners by @captainroyruns

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6 months ago

Party life in your 20s vs. your 50s… 🏃‍♂️🍻😂

The weekends are more expensive, the recovery takes longer, but we’re still PAYING to suffer!

Same spirit. Different kind of recovery.

#captainroyruns #running #chimarathon #lungcancersurvivor #setgoals by @captainroyruns

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Same cancer, same surgery, same lung lobe removed.

Yesterday, Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the right lower lobe of his lung after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.

In 2021, I underwent the same surgery for the same type of cancer then completed chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

I was a healthy, active, lifelong nonsmoker yet lung cancer changed my life overnight.

Today, I’m running World Marathon Majors with part of my right lung missing.

This is why lung cancer awareness matters so much.

As @lungevity reminds us, ANYONE WITH LUNGS CAN GET LUNG CANCER.

My thoughts are with Pope Leo XIV and everyone currently facing this disease.

And to anyone newly diagnosed: Your worst day doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.

Lung cancer didn’t get the last word. Gratitude did. 🤍

Lung cancer basics: Visit Lungevity.org

#anyonewithlungs #lungevity #lungcancerawareness #lungcancerthriver #captainroyruns by @captainroyruns

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3 days ago

💗 Different cancers. Shared courage. One mission.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I’m proudly wearing my pink tie to stand with everyone affected by breast cancer. 🎀✈️

Having family members diagnosed with breast cancer and with my fight against lung cancer, I know firsthand how a cancer diagnosis can change your life in an instant. I also know the incredible power of hope, early detection, research, and the support of others.

Cancer doesn’t care who you are, what you do, or what dreams you have but together, we can make a difference.

To everyone currently fighting, recovering, remembering someone they’ve lost, or learning to thrive beyond a diagnosis, we see you, we support you, and we stand with you. 💗

Different cancer journeys but shared hope. Keep Showing Up! 💗

#breastcancerawarenessmonth #breastcancerawareness #breastcancer #breastcancerresearchfoundation #captainroyruns by @captainroyruns

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4 days ago

🏅 Another Special Moment at the Chicago Marathon! 🗽

As mentioned in another post, one of the greatest things about running marathons isn’t just crossing finish lines. It’s the incredible people you meet along the way.

During Chicago Marathon weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Ted Metellus, Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon.

Ted surprised me with something incredibly special, the very first 2026 TCS New York City Marathon challenge coin! 🏅

As a retired Air Force officer, challenge coins have always held a special meaning for me. They’re more than just collectibles to me as they represent respect, camaraderie, recognition, and shared experiences.

What an incredible gesture from someone who plays such an important role in bringing runners from around the world together.

With the NYC Marathon just a few weeks away, this coin makes the anticipation of running through all five boroughs even more special.

The medals celebrate the miles but the people make the memories.

Thank you, Ted, for your generosity and for making this marathon journey even more memorable!

See you on the starting line of the NYC marathon on 1 Nov! 🗽🏃‍♂️

#captainroyruns #nycmarathon #nyrr #worldmarathonmajors #lungcancerthriver by @captainroyruns

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5 days ago

🏅 Some of the most meaningful moments of a marathon weekend happen away from the finish line.

During Chicago Marathon weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Miller, Abbott’s Divisional Vice President of Global Partnerships and Sponsorships, who helps lead Abbott’s involvement with the World Marathon Majors.

Chris gave me this beautiful Abbott World Marathon Majors challenge coin. What made the gesture especially meaningful was that he only had one and he chose to give it to me.

As someone whose journey has taken me from a lung cancer diagnosis and losing nearly half of my right lung to running marathons around the world, moments like this mean more than I can put into words.

The coin carries a message that really resonates with me:

“Your World. Run It.”

Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined where this journey would take me. Today, I’m running World Marathon Majors, meeting incredible people, and experiencing a life filled with more gratitude than ever.

Chris, thank you for your generosity and for making this Chicago Marathon weekend even more memorable. I’ll treasure this coin and the kindness behind it.

Lung cancer didn’t get the last word. Gratitude did. 🤍🤍🤍

#captainroyruns #chicagomarathon #abbottwmm #worldmarathonmajors #lungcancerthriver by @captainroyruns

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5 days ago

Abbott World Marathon Major number 6 (number 5 for the original 6 ⭐️). Excited to run the Chicago marathon for the first time. @chimarathon @wmmajors @lungevity #captainroyruns #runners #chimarathon #lungcancerthriver #setgoals by @captainroyruns

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7 days ago

Berlin took a little more out of me than I expected. Today was my first walk/run since the marathon. Still dealing with some coughing and congestion, but I finally got outside and managed to run about 1K. Nothing fast and nothing impressive. Just enough to get the lungs working again and remind the body that we’re not finished.

Tomorrow morning is the Jersey City 5K and one week after that is the Chicago Marathon. 🇺🇸🏃‍♂️

But the coolest part of today had nothing to do with pace or distance. While I was in Central Park, I met two runners wearing Terry Fox charity shirts. For those who don’t know Terry Fox, his story is incredible. After losing a leg to cancer, the young Canadian set out in 1980 on his “Marathon of Hope,” attempting to run across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

Cancer eventually forced him to stop but the movement he started never did.

Maybe it hit me a little differently because my wife is Canadian. Maybe it was because I was standing there as a cancer survivor myself, trying to get my lungs healthy enough for another starting line or maybe sometimes you just meet the right people on the right day.

Berlin is behind us and the Jersey City 5k is tomorrow then Chicago a week after and then NYC marathon 3 weeks after Chicago! 6-star medal in NYC if I can remain healthy enough to complete it. One step at a time. One starting line at a time.

Lung cancer didn’t get the last word. Gratitude did.

And today was another reminder of just how much there is to be grateful for.

Nice meeting you today @lorryworry. Thanks for supporting cancer research!!!

#captainroyruns #terryfoxrun #marathonofhope #lungevity #lungcancerawareness taken in Manhattan, New York by @captainroyruns

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14 days ago

🇩🇪Thank you, Berlin!🇩🇪

For a third year, 12 athletes represented Team LUNGevity in Berlin and have raised nearly $40,000! The team included two lung cancer survivors, and seven team members were repeat participants! The team enjoyed lunch and a sightseeing boat tour on Saturday and a post-race happy hour on Sunday. It was a memorable weekend spent connecting over a shared passion for running, raising funds, and spreading lung cancer awareness.

Registration for the 2027 @berlinmarathon is now open, apply here by November 8! lungevity.tfaforms.net/222 taken in Berlin, Germany by @captainroyruns

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16 days ago

Not my day but I gave it my best. Woke up with a head cold and sore throat. Realized right away that sub-four was not in the cards today. Went to plan B then quickly realized the new plan was to just finish. It was my slowest marathon but biggest reminder that it is always a privilege to simply lace up. Thanks for all the well wishes, the new friends I met in Berlin, and all the support from friends I’ve met before. Great job to all the Team Lungevity runners….truly inspiring! Keep Showing Up everyone!
#captainroyruns #lungcancersurvivor #berlinmarathon #abbottwmm #runners taken in Berlin, Germany by @captainroyruns

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