Fairfax Cancer Survivor Strives to Compete in Ironman World Championship

BethAnn Telford gets up at 3 a.m. six days a week, ready to start her day. Before heading to her full-time job, she works with her trainer for three hours. She wants to be ready if she is selected for the Ironman World Championship.

Telford was diagnosed with brain cancer seven years ago. Since then, she has undergone two brain surgeries and had to re-learn to walk and then run again. Prior to her diagnosis, Telford ran marathons, but once finding out she had cancer she set her sights on two goals.

The Ironman World Championship is held each year in Hawaii. It is a triathlon which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run.

“I’ve been wanting to get in for the last seven years because there are two things I’ve always wanted to do: the Boston Marathon and the Ironman,” Telford said.

She qualified on her own for the Boston Marathon and is trying for a seventh year to attend the Ironman World Championship. Usually participants are drawn from a lottery but this year participants are being chosen differently. Telford created a video with her friends to tell her story of surviving cancer and has made it to the third round of a voting contest, which would potentially allow her to attend this year.

Telford works six days a week with a trainer, who was once an Ironman qualifier. She works out three hours in the morning and at night if she is able to. Telford said she mainly works out in the mornings because “with my cancer that’s when I’m at my maximum strength.”

Although she follows no specific diet regimen, she tries to eat as healthy as possible. Telford said she has a restaurant near her job at the Fairfax County Government Center where she frequently eats, and the chef has gotten to know her. He knows a lot about cancer and makes her a big, filling meal that is not even on the menu.

“I am trying to eat as much as I can and as healthy as I can,” Telford said. “I love York Peppermint Patties and I miss home. My parents are my biggest heroes. If I do eat badly that’s the only thing and I probably only do that because it reminds me of my mom.”

Originally from Harrisburg, Pa., Telford moved to Fairfax for work. Since she has been here, she started Team BT, which raises funds for the National Brain Tumor Society. Since its founding, Team BT has raised more than $250,000. 

“This team has gone from just me to the second year when my cousin died of brain cancer to a huge team now of those who are fighting brain cancer like me or have had family who has passed,” Telford said.

Telford said she keeps a picture on her bike of a little girl from her hometown who is also battling brain cancer.

“Every step I take is a step not just for me, but for them,” Telford said.” “It’s amazing because I know what it was like to be able to just take a couple steps out of my bed at Johns Hopkins.”

Voting for the third round ends Wednesday, July 18. Although viewers are unable to see the number of votes each video has received, Telford is in third for most video views.

“I’m trying to do this for the people who aren’t able,” Telford said. “It’s not just about me. I’m taking a lot of others with me. It’s a big journey.”

To see and vote for BethAnn Telford's Ironman Kona Inspired "Anything Is Possible" video, click here.