Local Woodstock resident, Jason Stine has run the Peachtree Road Race yearly since 2003. But last year, he crossed that finish line without knowing something was wrong, three days later, a routine colonoscopy revealed Stage 3 colon cancer.
This year, the 52-year-old Ironman triathlete and race director toed the same starting line again. Only this time, he wasn't chasing a personal best. Before cancer, 10-mile runs were routine for Jason.
Running has always been part of who Jason is. His first Peachtree was back in 1986, and since then he's completed multiple Ironmans, directed countless races, and led a local running club twice a week. Cancer wasn't on his radar, he had no symptoms, and the only reason he scheduled his colonoscopy was a birthday reminder from Northside Hospital.
"I scheduled it just to check a box," he said. "I'm super healthy. I run." The diagnosis hit hard. "My world was flipped upside down in a day."
Jason began treatment in August 2025, weeks of radiation followed by chemotherapy. His local Northside Hospital care team including radiation oncologist Dr. Abhinav Reddy, medical oncologist Dr. Yi Dong, and colorectal surgeon Dr. Mohammed Jaafar Atta Al Fayyadh.
Jason's radiation oncologist, Dr. Reddy reports, "Jason was a healthy endurance athlete with zero symptoms, which shows how silent colorectal cancer can be. His routine screening caught the disease early, allowing us to utilize an upfront radiation and chemotherapy paradigm. Because his tumor responded completely, he was able to undergo a 'watch-and-wait' protocol. His story is the exact reason we emphasize screening."
His colorectal surgeon, Dr. Al Fayyadh, stated, "We are very proud of the progress that Jason has made. His positive attitude and energy definitely helped him throughout his journey and will continue to serve him well in the future. His story emphasizes the importance of early screening and the potential that colon and rectal cancer can have."
"There were some days I wanted to wither away," Jason admitted. "But I'd say, 'No. Get up." He started walking a mile before each radiation session, and even when he couldn't run, he kept showing up to his running club just walking alongside the group he loved. "Just being around people made a huge difference," he said.
When Jason started running in late May, he could only manage one mile. "It was a demoralizing reality check," he said. But by late June, he was up to four miles. At this year's Peachtree, he averaged a nine-minute mile and finished the 10K in 58 minutes, slower than his usual pace, but a finish that meant more than any personal record ever had. "I just kind of went out there with the attitude of, 'Hey, I'm not going to run fast,'" he said. "I'm going to put one foot in front of the other and just keep going, I've had my day in the sun for personal bests."
This year, Jason crossed the finish line cancer-free, confirmed by a follow-up colonoscopy.
"The Peachtree Road Race is full circle for me," he said. "This was different because it was a chapter opener versus a closure. This was the first page."
His message to others is simple: get screened. "There is no downside to it," he said.
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"There were some days I wanted to wither away," he admitted. "But I'd say, 'No. Get up.'"