‘One day, your way’ Canadians lace up for virtual Terry Fox Run

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) — All across the country, Canadians are lacing up their shoes as they take part in this year’s Terry Fox Run.

While the 2020 edition of the run is going virtual this year, because of the ongoing pandemic, people are being encouraged to find their own ways of getting out and going for a run.

The theme of this year’s run is “one day, your way.” People are being encouraged to run or walk on their own, either in a park or even in their backyard.

Fred Fox, Terry’s brother, says it’s hard to believe Terry’s message is still resonating 40 years after the Marathon of Hope.

“About nine months after he was forced to stop his Marathon a Hope, Terry knew that there would be a Terry Fox Run in September of [19]81 and here we are going to be celebrating the 40th Terry Fox Run,” Fred says.

“When Terry was in Toronto he said, ‘Even if I don’t finish we need others to continue.’ And Canadians have taken up that challenge that Terry gave all of us to follow.”

The money raised Sunday will go to the Terry Fox Foundation, which has helped raise around $800-million in the fight against cancer, since the first iconic Marathon of Hope.

“The money raised every year is what it’s all about. That’s what Terry wanted. He realized back in 1977 when he was first diagnosed and then the reasoning for the run in 1980 cause not a lot of money was going into research,” he says.

“So it’s so important that people still make a donation, collect pledges, fundraise for cancer research, even though we’re dealing with COVID right now, people are dealing with cancer as well.”

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Fred adds he and the Foundation understand the circumstances that Canadians are in amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Like Terry, he says when he was running he gave what he could, so “give what you can.”

“Whether you give a five or $10 donation or $100 donation it’s all worthwhile it all goes to keeping Terry’s dream alive.”

Meantime B.C.’s Premier John Horgan is touching on the legacy of Terry Fox.

“Like other Canadians, I’ve always felt a strong connection to Terry. He taught us that the key to success is never giving up. That’s why each year, thousands of people in B.C. and across Canada run in his honor,” Horgan said in a video posted to Twitter.

Horgan added, Fox “re-defined what is possible” with his heroic Marathon of Hope.

“By participating this year, you are part of Terry’s living legacy, you are helping to celebrate his dream and keep it alive.”

To make your donation to the Terry Fox Foundation visit their website.

 

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