By Ellie Miday — Running is not something new to sophomore Nathaniel Allen.

In this summer’s North Canton YMCA Fourth of July five-mile race, Allen won the Ron Russell Perseverance Award. Presented to him by Elaine Reolfi, this award is given to those that have shown real perseverance through a variety of challenges. This award is given to only one person per year. This year, the YMCA awarded it twice.

“I felt very humbled and honored to have won this award,” Allen said.

At the age of 8, Nathaniel was diagnosed with bone cancer. He has gone through 18 chemotherapy treatments and 23 surgeries, in order to save and straighten his leg.

“Failure is NOT an option. As long as I remember that, I am fine,” Allen said.

He has not won any other awards like this, so this was a big deal for Allen and his family this summer.

“Never give up and always do your best,” Allen said, “I kept thinking this and look, I beat cancer.”

Allen currently is on the swim team and excels at this sport as well. He is thankful for his many friends and family in his life. In the end, Allen does strike back.

[Updated Aug. 6, 2017: This article has been reformatted for consistency.]