FOOTBALLER John Woods will run the Bath half-marathon on Sunday only nine weeks after a third operation in his battle against cancer.

The Corsham Town assistant-manager could barely walk when he left hospital in January but has now set himself the target of completing the 13-mile race in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Woods, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, is determined to regain the fitness on which he built his reputation as one of Wiltshire's top non-league footballers. The former Chippenham Town and Trowbridge Town midfielder will run the race in aid of Dorothy House Hospice.

Woods said: "It was always my plan to run the half-marathon again. It gave me something to aim for while I was in and out of hospital. "When I came out for the last time in January I was just happy to be able to walk. But as time went by I managed to start training again. "I started out on the bike because it was too painful to run. Slowly I began to walk and then jog and now I'm running properly again. I did a 10-mile run along the canal in Bradford on Avon two weeks ago."

Woods last completed the Bath half marathon three years ago, when he posted an impressive time of 1 hour, 42 minutes. Despite his 12-month battle with cancer, the 34-year-old is confident he can achieve his new target. He said: "I have added one minute for each of the three years that have passed since I last ran the race. I've really enjoyed the build-up and all the training.

"All my family will be dotted round the course on Sunday. I really want to achieve my target time but I won't be looking at the wristwatch every few seconds. The training has gone well and I know how fast I can go."

When the starters' gun echoes around the streets of Bath at 11am on Sunday, most of the competitors will have no idea what Woods has been through to earn his race tag. After four 150-hour sessions of chemotherapy and three operations on his stomach and lungs, Woods' cancer is finally in remission.

He said: "When you're first diagnosed it's a real bombshell. A year ago today I had an IV drip as a permanent partner for 150 hours. That was pretty tough going. "But the chemotherapy did the job and now I just have to go for a scan every three months to make sure the cancer does not flare up again."

In crossing the finish line Woods hopes to write the first chapter in a remarkable recovery story that will see him return as a Corsham Town player next season. "It was always my aim to get back to normal life again," he said. "After Sunday I will be in a much better position to see whether or not I can get back to playing football. "My body must wonder what's going on at the moment. I've been glued, stapled and stitched back together. My torso looks like a road map."

Woods says he is delighted to be running in aid of Dorothy House, adding: "Most people know somebody who is affected by cancer. Dorothy House have brought hope to lots of people like myself and I think this is a really good cause."

  • To sponsor Woods contact him on 07941 725740.