In 2024, Matt Hazard didn’t let a cancer diagnosis derail his running aspirations, and after being NED (no evidence of disease) for over a year, he and his wife have decided to raise awareness by running with their hometown.
Matt and Amanda Hazard told Tualatin Life that they decided to take on the responsibility of helping to coordinate the Get Your Rear in Gear Colon Cancer Awareness Run after participating in previous iterations and wanting to play a bigger role.
“This is really near and dear to our hearts because Matt had cancer and it’s part of our story now,” Amanda Hazard said.
Colon cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and the number one cause of cancer deaths for men and women under 50.
Matt Hazard was 40 when he was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2024, but continued to run, and during his chemotherapy treatment, he won the 2024 Get Your Rear in Gear run at Mt. Tabor Park.
“It was two or three treatments of chemo in, and I ran it in summer of 2024 and ended up winning the race,” Matt Hazard said. “It’s just kind of evolved from us wanting to be more a part of it and advocate.”
Matt Hazard continued running as treatment progressed and ran the Boston Marathon in 2025. He and Amanda Hazard said that a commitment to running inspired them to organize August’s event.
“Running has been his thing; he ran the Boston Marathon,” Amanda Hazard said. “This has been like our baby, and we want to make it way bigger…and we’re making it a lot bigger than it ever has been.”
In 2025, Matt and Amanda Hazard both agreed that they wanted Get Your Rear in Gear to take place on a more accessible course, closer to their home in Tualatin.
“Matt was able to move it from Mt. Tabor to Tualatin,” Amanda Hazard said. “Which is huge because Mt. Tabor is super hilly and there wasn’t a lot of participants…this is more of a way to keep it local and get in touch with people more close to home.”
This year’s 5K run will loop around the north walking path at Tualatin Community Park. Both Hazards emphasized that the event “needed a revitalization” and that relocating the run to Tualatin Community Park was a good way to “bring it back to life.”
In their effort to reenergize the run and stir up local support, the Hazards enrolled OHSU and the Oregon Clinic as event sponsors. The 5k will feature informational booths, resources and support and a giant inflatable colon.
“We have a giant inflatable colon that’s gonna be right here,” Amanda Hazard said, pointing to the spot on the grass where OHSU would inflate the educational colon cancer diorama.
Amanda Hazard said this year was a test run for acquiring sponsorships and getting people interested, and hoped that, in addition to raising money for the Colon Cancer Coalition, the event would spread awareness on a larger scale.
Both Hazards agreed that running has been a major motivator for them, and Matt Hazard said that since his diagnosis, he has sworn to never stop running.
“Right from the beginning I said, ‘I’m not gonna stop running,’” Matt Hazard said. “It’s my way of showing up and continuing to do it.”
The awareness run/walk will take place on August 8, and the opening ceremony is expected to kick off at 8:30 a.m. Early registration is $35 for adults and runs until July 9. Regular registration begins on July 10 and is $40 for adults. For More information, please see tinyurl.com/2mum46bs.
