PALMERSTON – Two sisters are bringing the Terry Fox Run to Palmerston next month to continue honouring the unwavering determination of the late Canadian athlete, Terry Fox.
Mackenzie and Delaney Norman are the founders of the Palmerston Terry Fox committee and this will be their second year hosting the event.
“After COVID hit, our community didn’t have the event. We felt it was something we could bring back to the community,” Mackenzie Norman told the Advertiser.
Last year the community raised over $7,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and the committee is hoping to exceed that goal at this year’s run.
“In 1980 Terry Fox really brought the nation together and raised awareness about cancer research,” stated Mackenzie. “We liked to keep his legacy going by having this yearly event.”
The run began when Fox, 18, having one leg amputated due to cancer, decided to run across Canada for his Marathon of Hope.
He started in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12 and after 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres, he stopped running outside of Thunder Bay, Ont. as the cancer had spread to his lungs.
Now every year Canadians, and those in other countries across the world, participate in Terry Fox runs in honour of his strength and last wishes – to continue the run.
The Palmerston run is set to occur on Sept. 15 at the Palmerston Lions Park, registration begins at 10am with the start time following at 11am.
The run is a set route around the downtown core and will be marked with balloons, noted Norman.
Participants can walk, run, wheel or bike the 2K or the full 5K route.
“Everyone is welcome to attend, there is no minimum donation to participate in the event. It’s more just about awareness,” added Norman.
This year the campaign theme is “No Matter What.”
She expressed the committee’s need for volunteers adding her hope for the “small” event to grow over the years.
Donations can be given through the Terry Fox Foundation website, as well as registration at run.terryfox.ca/55781. So far the community has raised over $500.
If those interested can’t attend the run but want to donate or pledge, they will have the opportunity until the end of September.
All pre-registered participants will enjoy a lunch sponsored by various local businesses after route completion.
