Sydney Runners Honour Richard Scolyer at His 'Special Place'

The Greenway Parkrun in Sydney's Haberfield was filled with emotion and camaraderie as nearly 500 runners gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Professor Richard Scolyer. The event, held at Scolyer's favorite parkrun location, served as a poignant tribute to the former Australian of the Year recipient, who passed away on June 8 at the age of 59 following a courageous three-year battle with glioblastoma.

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It's nice to be here today because this is really the spirit of Rich … people being kind to each other, people being friendly.

Posters of Professor Scolyer adorned the Richard Murdern Reserve, creating a visual reminder of his impact. At the start line, heartfelt speeches were delivered, allowing participants a moment to reflect on the profound influence Scolyer had on the running community and beyond. This week's parkrun was dedicated to his memory, honoring his passion for running, which saw him complete an impressive 250 parkruns both in Australia and internationally.

His brother, Mark Scolyer, also an avid runner, described the day as deeply emotional. He shared fond memories of his brother, affectionately calling him "a daggy guy" who would engage fellow runners in conversation during parkrun events. Mark recounted their shared runs, highlighting the mutual encouragement and the occasional challenge of keeping pace. "We all shed a tear, we'll all keep running here; it's a special place to remember Rich," he said, emphasizing the enduring connection to his brother through their shared passion.

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I've probably run here with Rich 20 times. We'd push each other and sometimes I couldn't keep up and sometimes he was having bad days and some days he couldn't run.

Acting group run director Emily Hamilton spoke of Scolyer embodying the spirit of the Greenway parkrun community. She recognized his significant contributions not only to Australia and cancer research but also his role within their local running group, where he "really encouraged people to give it a crack and have a go." Another participant shared her experience of witnessing Scolyer achieve his 250th parkrun milestone nearly a year prior, stating, "I feel that he will always have a very special place in this community."

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We all shed a tear, we'll all keep running here; it's a special place to remember Rich.

Professor Scolyer, a distinguished pathologist and melanoma researcher, had set a personal goal of completing 250 parkruns, a milestone he achieved in June 2025, even as he battled his illness. He had publicly announced his cancer's return in March of that year. Reflecting on his achievement at the time, he admitted, "I guess it's part of my personality. Bit embarrassing, but wanting to get to 250 was something that pushed me along." His dedication and spirit, even amidst his health struggles, left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

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He has been such an important figure for Australia and for cancer research. But here in our community, he was one of those people that just really encouraged people to give it a crack and have a go.