{"id":57158,"date":"2025-08-10T07:32:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T07:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/57158\/"},"modified":"2025-08-10T07:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T07:32:08","slug":"why-aussie-mum-robyn-smith-is-running-bare-chested-in-sydneys-city2surf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/57158\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Aussie mum Robyn Smith is running bare-chested in Sydney’s City2Surf"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robyn Smith, 46, will run City2Surf bare-chested on SundayMother-of-three will be showing of scars of\u00a0double mastectomy<\/p>\n

By JAMES COONEY, SENIOR SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 19:14 EDT, 9 August 2025 | Updated: 19:14 EDT, 9 August 2025 <\/p>\n

Canberra mother-of-three\u00a0Robyn Smith will make a bold statement at this year’s City2Surf by running the\u00a014-kilometre course topless.<\/p>\n

The 46-year-old will be displaying the scars of her double mastectomy to raise awareness for those who ‘go flat’ after having their breasts removed.<\/p>\n

Smith, who has a long history of cancer<\/a> in her family, is also collecting donations for the organisation Inherited Cancers Australia, where she works.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2012, Smith discovered that she had the gene mutation BRCA2,\u00a0which dramatically increases the chances of developing ovarian and breast cancer.<\/p>\n

Smith’s mother had recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so she decided to take the step of getting her breasts,\u00a0fallopian tubes and ovaries removed.<\/p>\n

‘One in 400 Australians have a gene mutation like I do,’ she told NewsWire.<\/p>\n

\"Robyn <\/p>\n

Robyn Smith (pictured), 46, will run the City2Surf bare-chested on Sunday<\/p>\n

\"Smith <\/p>\n

Smith had a\u00a0mastectomy after learning about her risks of developing cancer<\/p>\n

‘That’s heaps of people who are facing these challenges.’<\/p>\n

Smith will have the words ‘flat out of funding’ painted across her scars, which she says relates to the shortage of donations that Inherited Cancers Australia is getting.<\/p>\n

‘You’ve got families that have watched generation after generation after generation in the same family be impacted by cancer,’ she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘You know the demand of genetic testing is just continuing to go through the roof.’<\/p>\n

Smith, who was inspired by UK runner\u00a0Louise Butcher who has run the London Marathon twice bearing her mastectomy scars, wants to start conversations about cancer prevention.<\/p>\n

\u2018When I first found out I had a gene mutation, I leaned so much on ICA for information and connection to other people with gene mutations,’ she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘This organisation was instrumental in helping me be proactive with my cancer risk \u2013 a privilege that others in my family were not afforded.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Living with and working in the inherited cancer space means I see firsthand the impact that organisations like ours can have on someone in this position. It\u2019s great to be able to give back through running.’<\/p>\n

Smith says she also wants to normalise ‘being flat’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘I am proud of my decision and how I go about living my best flat life while also shining a light on the realities of living with the ticking timebomb of inherited cancer risk,’ she said.<\/p>\n

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