Terry Fox runs return to county Sept. 20
WELLINGTON COUNTY – In April 1980, Terry Fox, a young man who had lost a leg to osteosarcoma, began a run across Canada from St. John’s, N.L Through his “Marathon of Hope,” Fox hoped to raise money for cancer research by running the equivalent of a marathon each day.
He made it as far as Thunder Bay before severe chest pain and coughing forced him to stop in September 1980. The symptoms heralded the return of his cancer.
Fox fought the disease for another nine months before dying from complications in June 1981. In September of that year, Issy Sharp, founder of the Four Seasons hotel chain, organized the first Terry Fox Run, which subsequently became an annual tradition across Canada.
In the 45 years since the run’s inception, Terry Fox fundraising initiatives have raised over $1 billion for cancer research.
With this year’s run scheduled for Sept. 20, here’s information about events across Wellington County:
Erin
The Erin run will set out from Centre 2000 (14 Boland Dr.) at 9am, with registration beginning a half-hour earlier.
Participants will run the Elora Cataract Trail to Mississauga Road, a total of 10km. Refreshments will be provided after the run.
Fergus
The Fergus run will begin at Forfar Park (605 Gartshore St.) at 10am. Participants can register online at any time before 9am on the day of the event.
Runners can travel between one and 10 kilometres along the Elora Cataract Trailway, with the event also accessible by bicycle or wheelchair. Cyclists will start slightly earlier, at 9:30am, and the overall event will run until 1pm.
Drayton
The Drayton run will begin at the Drayton Agricultural Society Fairgrounds (49 Elm St.) at 1:30pm, with registration starting an hour earlier at 12:30pm.
Participants will travel along Elm and Wood streets, with the route also accessible by bicycle or wheelchair.
Mount Forest
The Mount Forest run will take place at Bill Moody Park near Newfoundland and Wellington streets, begining at 1pm. Participants will traverse the length of a nearby walking track.
The event will be hosted by the Lions Club of Mount Forest.
Palmerston
The Palmerston run will begin at Palmerston Lions Heritage Park (295 Queen St. N.) at 11am, with registration starting an hour earlier at 10am.
The running route is 5km, while walkers can complete a 3-km route.
Every year, Canadians across the country come out to honour Fox’s legacy and raise money for cancer research.
Depending on the event, people can participate by running, walking, cycling or using a wheelchair.
For more about local runs, check out the Terry Fox Foundation’s website at terryfox.org.
