Clearwater run starts at 11 a.m. Sept .14 at parking lot across from North Thompson Sportsplex
The 45th annual Terry Fox Run is just days away in Clearwater, and it promises to get hearts pumping while warming hearts with a spirit of good will, all in the name of cancer research fundraising.
"Let's pay honour to this Canadian hero who never wants his dream to end," said organizer Mark Taylor, referencing Canadian legend Terry Fox, who needs little introduction and whose run across Canada 45 years ago started a movement that has raised close to $1 billion for cancer research.
The Clearwater run takes place Sunday, Sept. 14. Registration starts at 10 a.m. in the parking lot across from the North Thompson Sportsplex (428 Murtle Cres.). The run starts at 11 a.m. and goes to 1 p.m.
Organizers have clearly marked two, five and 10-kilometre routes with directional arrows and kilometre boards for people to walk, run, rollerblade and bike, all to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation and a cure for cancer.
Last year's run in Clearwater saw 23 people take part, collectively raising $1,278 for the foundation. The goal is to beat that amount this year, and funds are already coming in with more than $100 raised as of Saturday evening, Sept. 6, well before the race begins. To register and raise funds, visit run.terryfox.ca/92980.
The Terry Fox Run is an annual event taking place in schools and communities across the country that is inspired by Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 1980. Fox, then 18, had been diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma just above the knee, which led to the amputation of his leg. He came to the simple conclusion that more money was needed for cancer research, and so he set off on a cross-Canada run to raise funds for the cause.
"He dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean on April 12, 1980 and proceeded to unite Canadians in a way never before, nor since, seen," reads the Terry Fox Foundation's website.
He ran 5,373 kilometres before he was forced to stop when the cancer returned to his lungs.
Fox set in motion an annual Canadian tradition that has raised more than $850 million since 1980.
Barriere's Terry Fox Run is also taking place Sept. 14, at the Fadear Park bandshell, with registration starting at 10 a.m. and the run beginning at 11. People can run, walk, bike, rollerblade, use strollers, ride on horses, or take part in the event in any fashion.
The Barriere run has been organized by Kathy Cooper since 2007, but as Cooper is retiring from the position, she's looking for someone to replace her as organizer for future runs. Anyone who is interested in stepping up to organize future Barriere Terry Fox Runs can email [email protected].