Hub Staff

The Annual Terry Fox Run will take place on Sunday, September 20 at Northshore Park, starting at the Rotary Pavillion (North of the Port Elgin Main Beach). This year will mark the 35th anniversary of Terry's Marathon of Hope that took place in 1980.

The race is set to start at 1pm. You can pre-register at 12:30pm or online (link below). Rough Idea perform beginning at 11:45am and Geordie Farell will be the day's Master of Ceremonies.

Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg in 1977 and had his leg amputated above the knee. He decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, calling his journey the Marathon of Hope.

His journey was cut short after 143 days, after discovering the cancer was in his lungs. To date, over $650 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry Fox's name.

Organizer, Holly Vanderzwet of Fitness Corner and Fitness Corner South, said the Port Elgin Terry Fox Run has done well over the years. “We've been averaging between $10,000 and $15,000 each year, which is really good,” she said. “Even if you raise one dollar you've helped.” She added, “Port Elgin has really done well, come together and supported it over the years. We usually get between 200 and 300 people. It's a family thing.”

Vanderzwet said that it's usually a well attended event and that there is always a Terry's Team member, which is somebody who has in the past had cancer or is battling cancer and who wants to speak about their personal experience. “This year it's going to be Fred Wallace from the radio station because he's battling with it,” she said, adding that she's had a wide array of people speak. “Cancer touches everyone.”

The race is 10 kilometers but you can choose to do as much or as little of it as you would like. “It's not judged, it's non competitive so people can turn around whenever they feel like it. It's not a timed event,” said Vanderzwet.

“It's the best route, right along the lake. It's safe, we don't have to have the road closed and the water is right there and 'touch wood' it's usually a beautiful day.” She said there was only one year she could remember in the 15 years she has organized it that it rained for the entire event.

The race will commence at the Rotary Pavilion in Northshore Park, North of Main Beach and will go along the path to Southampton and then turn around at Bay Street. “Sometimes we'll have people who come as a team and they'll have a t-shirt with somebody's picture on it and they're running in memory of someone,” said Vanderzwet.

She went on to praise the Terry Fox Foundation for keeping the interest going by putting out media releases and creating new marketing each year. “Every poster is different ... every t-shirt. They've added a few things like tattoos that kids can put on their faces and this year they have a little postcard that's pre stamped and you can send a note to Terry's father. His mum has passed with cancer as well but his dad and his brother are still part of the Foundation.”

Vanderzwet also remarked how the Foundation does a wonderful job keeping Terry Fox's name alive. “I think because it's strictly Canadian and 85 cents of every dollar goes to cancer research, so it's not a money grabbing thing. Most of the money goes into cancer research and all kinds of different types of cancer. I think it's just Terry's story that keeps people coming back here every year.”

To pre-register, click HERE.