‘We’re All Runners’: Lane Cove Teacher’s Stage 4 Cancer Journey

When Nathan Griffith received a text from the government offering a free cancer screening, he obliged. His brother had been battling leukaemia for seven years, making him cautiously aware, but it never occurred to him the results would come back positive.

The school teacher at Lane Cove Public was just 48 when diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer; in a matter of days, he was prepped for surgery, where a three-hour procedure tripled in length. To everyone’s surprise, doctors removed a 25cm tumour, the performing surgeon calling it a “beast.”

“For some unknown reason, I just clicked on a link, got the test, and yeah, you get the news. Yeah, unfortunately”, Nathan told ITC, sitting in his Grade 5 classroom after school, artwork from his students behind him personifying the beams of positivity breaking through his words.

Though it may not seem like it, this was a lucky break. Nathan was completely unaware of the tumour’s presence, which could have quite easily made his wife a widow and his four teens fatherless if it weren’t for his proactive test screening.

However, his journey is far from over. A few months after the tumour was removed, he was told the cancer had spread from his bowel to numerous parts of his body, including his liver; his chemotherapy treatment had not been effective, and the disease had progressed to stage 4.

Over 5200 Australians die from bowel cancer each year. Although there is about a 12 per cent chance of being diagnosed under 50, the government will begin sending you notifications by age 45 as rates of early-onset diagnoses are increasing.

One year and 15 rounds of chemotherapy later, Nathan still lives his life as normal. He has his trademark “wildman” hair and beard – the former dyed to match his chemo nurse’s hair – he still teaches his grade 5 class every week and has even upped his running game, completing eight marathons since diagnosis.

It’s an amazing feat of courage, but his normality is not without cost: “[I’m] still feeling fantastic on the outside, still running, but it doesn’t match internally.” The chemotherapy has continued to be ineffective, meaning it’s easier to stick with life’s status quo, but the cancer is not receding.

Nathan’s oncologist has recently moved him onto an exclusive drug trial for stage 4 cancer that only six Australians are currently on – perhaps his last hope.

How To Be Normal

Regardless of health and ability, Nathan is determined to keep his day-to-day itinerary; his “stay normal” mentality grew from a few sources, primarily taking immense inspiration from his brother, who has kept up with life for his wife and kids, despite his long battle with the disease.

Another duty he refuses to part with is his responsibilities as a school teacher at Lane Cove Public School. This is a community he has become synonymous with for nine years and has since become a staple of the institution, adored by parents, staff and students alike.

Nathan has interpreted his diagnosis as an opportunity to not only teach his students the standard syllabus of English, math and science but also the precious qualities of life he has learnt through his cancer journey. But he describes the teaching as a “two-way street,” finding great inspiration to strive forward through the kids.

Since the diagnosis, the Lane Cove Public School community has been with him every step of the way – from their presence and donations when he shaved his head and beard for the first time in 20 years to raise money for cancer research, to students taking part in the 28km Cancer Council bridge walk wearing “Mr Griffith” bibs. It’s clear he has had an immense impact.

This is echoed during teaching sessions, where students share their appreciation for Mr Griffith’s innovative and warm teaching methods.

“I think my favourite thing about him is that he likes just making us laugh. He may look like a little bit of a strict person on the outside, but he is so nice on the inside and funny,” said Edie, one of Mr Griffith’s students this year.

“He’ll always put a tint of humour in our lessons,” added Sophia, another student.

“I wish that he could be my year six teacher!” Cooper interjected, who couldn’t wait to say some words about his favourite teacher.

His colleagues share similar stories, telling ITC they never know what hilarious antics or comments Nathan will bring to the staff room at lunch.

But his love for laughter and passion for education isn’t his only reasoning for striving towards normality; there’s also a much more primal drive. Running.

Nathan has run 54 marathons in his life. Running has been a catalyst for his perseverance. “Running has taught me a lot about being persistent and pushing through barriers of pain, pushing through really difficult moments. And over the years that I’ve travelled through cancer, I think it really has been a lot of ups and downs. And I guess I keep coming back to that.”

Last Sunday, 30 August 2026, he completed his 8th marathon since diagnosis, running the Sydney Marathon. Not only did this establish what’s possible for a stage 4 cancer patient, but he also raised over $11K for Cancer Council.

The avid exerciser describes running as part of a great escape. Perhaps an oxymoron, as it’s clear he continues to run towards each challenge with the goal of gaining perspective and strength.

Coffee And Gratitude

It may be easy to forget that Nathan has travelled a tough road, as his sights are constantly fixed on the horizon. He’s yet to turn 50, and both his parents have passed; he has had to watch his only sibling and older brother fight a deadly disease for years, and now, in a tragic twist of fate, he is on a similar path.

But in our chat, it was never the adversities thrown his way that the local battler chose to dwell on; rather, it was the pillars which elevated him in a time of uncertainty.

His brother and school/running community were integral. He also gave immense appreciation to the medical team at Royal North Shore’s public system, where he has been treated as a patient rather than a number. But his biggest source of gratitude and inspiration springs from his family.

Even so, and despite jokingly calling himself a lone ranger when it comes to running, Nathan has kept the same mindset within the family – they still enjoy board games and go out for dinner. But he admits that, with such uncertain times ahead, he is beginning to experience these moments a little differently; much like a strong coffee dumped with sugar, it evokes the bittersweet.

Currently, the road is unclear for Nathan and his family, but the direction of the horizon stays the same. As our chat came to a close, he reaffirmed his gratitude and appreciation for his family as well as the Lane Cove community during this uncertain time – but he shared a final insight that was relevant to all.