CENTER TWP — From bleak condition to peak condition.

Such has been the five-year journey for Robert Clark, 61, of Butler.

Clark recently completed the Boston Marathon and Pittsburgh Marathon only weeks apart, completing the latter event in 3 hours and 58 minutes to qualify for the 2011 Boston Marathon.

Five years ago, he was diagnosed with throat cancer.

"The doctor said he had the type of cancer only one in maybe 6,000 people survive," said Clark's friend, Bob Conklin.

"That was a pretty bleak time in my life," Clark admitted. "I did a lot of praying and received a lot of family support."

Much of that support came from his son, Chris, a triathlete now living in St. Louis, who returned home to help Clark through each of the five surgeries performed on his neck.

"As soon as I was able, Chris had me up and walking around the hospital," Clark said. "He and my wife, Patti, were my rocks the whole time."

Clark's last operation was in 2006. Less than two weeks ago, he was declared cancer-free by his doctor.

"He told me I didn't have to come see him anymore," Clark said.

It's a good thing. He's been pretty busy.

Once Clark's health improved, his son suggested he try running to stay in shape. Chris even coached him for a while.

Clark had run 10K events and the Butler Road Race during the 1980s, but hadn't run in nearly 20 years.

He prepared for and entered the Butler Road Race in 2008 and ran the 5-mile course in 51 minutes.

"I was only planning on doing the 3-mile, but I was feeling pretty good and decided on the longer distance," he said. "Then I ran three or four other local races — I just kept running all summer that year."

He entered the Presque Isle Marathon in Erie in September 2008.

"That hooked me," Clark admitted. "At that point, I told Chris I wanted to someday qualify for the Boston Marathon. He told me to go for it.

"My wife thought I was crazy. But she couldn't have been more supportive."

Clark has run in six marathons: the Pittsburgh Marathon and Presque Isle Marathon twice, the Inland Trail Marathon in Toledo — where he ran a 3:53 last November to qualify for Boston — and the Boston Marathon.

"Bob has worked himself into the best physical condition he could be," Conklin said. "He's an inspiration that there's always hope, to never give up."

Conklin and Clark coached together with the Penn Street Cardinals of the Butler Area Midget Football League years ago. They worked together at Armco as well.

Clark's surgeries have resulted in a dry throat that needs regular hydration. Clark carries fluids with him wherever he goes.

"It rained during this last (Pittsburgh) marathon, which helped me with my hydration problem," he said.

Clark lost one family member — Darla McGinnis — to cancer last September. Another family member had cancer surgery this spring.

"When I run marathons, their names are on the back of my jersey. I'm running for them, too," he said. "I have an old track jersey from Butler High School, class of 1966."

Now Clark's in training to run his first triathlon — The Ironman in Panama City, Fla. — in November. His brother-in-law and fellow marathon runner Brian McCafferty of Oakland Township has been training him.

He doesn't plan to give up running anytime soon.

"I value life way too much to quit," he said.