Heather Latter
After last year’s event saw an excellent turnout of about 100 and raised more than $13,000 for cancer research, organizers of this year’s Terry Fox Run are hoping to make the 35th anniversary another success.
The congregation of the Church of the Holy Spirit here once again has stepped up to organize the “Marathon of Hope,” which is set for Sunday, Sept. 20 starting at the Sorting Gap Marina, with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m. and the run going at 2 p.m.
“It went really, really well last year and we’re hoping for even more people to come out this year,” noted David Ogilvie, one of the organizers.
He stressed everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and Terry Fox really brought the illness to the forefront when he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research back in 1980.
In fact, Ogilvie saw Fox during his “Marathon of Hope” just weeks before he passed away.
“We happened to be coming home from our honeymoon,” he recalled. “We passed him in just the worse conditions as he approached Sault Ste. Marie . . .
“He is such an inspiration,” he voiced, citing he hopes the community pulls together to make this year’s run one of the best yet.
The run, which is roughly five km long to the Seven Oaks area and back, can be completed twice by those wanting to run a 10K distance.
“It can be competitive for those who want to be competitive or non-competitive for those who just want to have fun,” said Ogilvie, adding participants can walk, run, or ride their bikes.
“It’s all about raising money for cancer research,” he noted.
He noted they’d be thrilled to see people of all ages taking part.
Ogilvie noted Fort Frances resident George Walsh has participated in every Terry Fox Run—for years in Thunder Bay and the last four years in Fort Frances.
Born with cerebral palsy, Walsh has limited communication and mobility and uses a wheelchair.
Each year, he is pushed along by his older brother, Sandy Stalker.
“He has always been passionate about cancer research,” Ogilvie voiced, citing Walsh has raised well over $100,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation over the years, ever since his father died from cancer in 1969.
Ogilvie indicated there will be fruit, juice, and ice cream available for participants following the run.
While the Church of the Holy Spirit has enjoyed organizing the event for the past five years, they are looking for another group of individuals to take it over.
“We are hoping this will be our final year,” Ogilvie said, noting a church or another organization would be ideal to take it on.
“Our members are burnt out. We’re getting older and older,” he explained. “It’s down to five or six people doing it all and it’s a lot of work.
“But it’s nice when lots of people come out,” he added, citing they have seen an increase in participation since taking it on in 2010.
“And we hope that momentum continues.”
Ogilvie indicated they will pass along all of their planning materials and provide support to any group interested in taking over the organization of the event in future years.
Pledge forms are located at businesses throughout Fort Frances and the district and participants can also register online at www.terryfox.ca/terryfoxrun/fortfrances
Information can also be found on Facebook by searching “Terry Fox Run 2015—Fort Frances.”
T-shirts are also for sale and lawn signs can also be delivered to anyone interested in helping to promote the event.
For more information, contact Ogilvie at 482-2540.
