The annual Terry Fox Run is coming to the Sunshine Coast on Sept. 18.
Organizers have two runs planned for the public – in Gibsons and Roberts Creek – and people of all ages and abilities are invited to take part.
In Gibsons the run will be held at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre with registration starting at 8 a.m. and the run officially starting at 9:30 a.m.
Participants can run, walk, ride or hop through courses of one, three, five or 10 km laid out around Gibsons, and well-behaved dogs are welcome.
The Roberts Creek run will take place at Roberts Creek Elementary with registration opening at 9:30 a.m. and the run starting at 10 a.m.
Routes of three, five and 10 km laid out in Roberts Creek will be suitable for bicycles, wheelchairs, strollers and rollerblades, and dogs on leashes can accompany participants.
People can sign up on the day of the event or register early at www.terryfox.org and start taking donations for the run right away.
The annual events raise money for cancer research in Terry Fox’s name.
“It is a day of celebrating Terry’s legacy and helping to keep alive his dream of finding a cure for cancer,” the Terry Fox Foundation stated.
Gibsons run organizer Mary Findlay said the public is welcome to stop by the Gibsons run on Sept. 18 and donate to the cause.
“In the past we’ve had people do drive-by donations,” the long time organizer said.
She’ll be thinking about Fox’s dad Rolly when she runs this month, as Rolly died of lung cancer in March of this year.
A release from the Terry Fox Foundation on Rolly’s death noted, “We have witnessed once again the pain cancer causes, but we know, oh how we know, that we are not alone.”
The local Terry Fox Runs are meant to help bring people together who have been touched by cancer, to share their stories, lend support to one another and make a difference by raising millions for cancer research.
As of 2014 more than $650 million had been raised through Canada-wide Terry Fox runs, which started in 1981.
Terry Fox had his right leg amputated in 1977 after a malignant tumour was found in it.
In 1980 he set off on a cross-country run to raise awareness about cancer and funds for cancer research.
After 143 days of running a total of 5,373 kilometres, Fox had to stop when cancer spread to his lungs.
On June 28, 1981, Fox died as a result of cancer, just shy of his 23rd birthday.
His legacy lives on through the yearly runs held all across Canada, and the funds raised to date have helped pay for vital research that will one day, hopefully, lead to a cure.
In addition to the public runs, schools across the Coast will be taking part in their own runs in September.
“Terry is celebrated as a hero and inspiration to our students for making a difference in their world,” said Patrick Bocking, superintendent of schools with School District No. 46.
“Through his example our students learn about perseverance and commitment.”
