Peggy Revell
Whether on foot, bikes or other wheels, and no matter age, speed, or how much money a person can raise, local brothers George Walsh and Sandy Stalker are hoping the district answers the call to mark the Terry Fox Run’s 30th anniversary.
The local “Marathon of Hope” is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Sorting Gap Marina beginning at 1 p.m.
“How many people do you know? Either a family member or a neighbour or a friend has been touched by cancer?” asked Stalker. “So let’s acknowledge that, and let’s kick ass on that disease.”
It’s a call that Walsh—born with Cerebral Palsy, meaning he has limited communication and mobility, and uses a wheelchair—has answered every year since Terry Fox set out his historic “Marathon of Hope” in 1980 to raise money in the fight against cancer.
Walsh has participated every year in the run in Thunder Bay, both as a member of the colour party that makes its way to the starting line from the Terry Fox Memorial, and in the run itself—with his older brother pushing him along the way, and with friends and family cheering them along.
Backed by the enthusiasm of the brothers’ mother—Norah Walsh, who passed away in 2008—Walsh has raised over $100,000 towards cancer research.
The brothers are a familiar sight to those who stroll along the waterfront in Fort Frances—the duo run a 10-km route every other night, with Walsh in a wheelchair modified with a bicycle wheel while Stalker pushes him along, running behind.
Over the last 20-plus years, the pair have participated together in cycling events, runs and even triathlons, with Walsh riding shotgun on Stalker’s bike in a special seat and pulled behind in a flotation device during the race’s swimming portion.
And whenever Stalker says he doesn’t feel like running—it’s George, and George’s reminder to him of what Terry Fox has done, that keeps him inspired, he explained.
“[Fox] ran a marathon every day from the time he dipped his foot into the Atlantic until he quit in Thunder Bay with one day off. Most people train for one marathon a season, or two a season, one for spring, one for summer, or three or four—this guy ran every day on one leg [with cancer],” said Stalker.
“He started off wanting a million dollars, and now [the run] goes on worldwide,” said Stalker about Fox’s legacy which has gone on to raise half a billion dollars for cancer research.
The pair will be once again running in Thunder Bay this year, but are hoping the community comes out in full force for the local run which their congregation, the Church of the Holy Spirit, has stepped up to organize.
“The church is a family, and we feel that every family is affected by cancer, and every family should respond to this and make it a family event,” said Jane Trivers—sister to Walsh and Stalker.
They are hoping that this year’s run will be a celebration of life, hope, encouragement and helping to carry a load, she explained.
“The folks at the Church of the Holy Spirit have taken it up this year. I hope Fort Frances answers the bell because they’re sure going to be putting on a good event,” said Stalker, admitting that he was disappointed about the turnout for last year’s run, which drew only 24 participants.
Years ago, Thunder Bay saw a similar decline in people participating in the Terry Fox Run, he noted—but then the Rotary Club took over sponsoring the run and it has grown in size again.
“If there is a constant group handling it each year, hopefully the participation keeps growing and growing and growing, because that’s what made the difference in Thunder Bay,” Trivers agreed, noting that past organizers have done an excellent job with the local run in past years.
“We know that the schools are doing it, but we’re hoping that we’re going to get kids out [too],” she added. “Because even if they don’t have pledges for this part of it, and they have pledges for the school run, it doesn’t matter—just come and be a part of it.”
“I hope so many people will get involved, if they don’t have to organize the thing, There’s no work to it now—just come on out and run,” Stalker said.
This year’s route will begin at the Sorting Gap Marina and follow the riverfront to Seven Oaks and back. A barbeque is also planned afterwards.
Pledge forms and t-shirt order forms can be found across the district at Energy Fitness, Brockie’s Jewellers, Rainy Lake Sports & Tackle, Dev-Lynn’s, Cloverleaf Shop Easy, Barwick Village Restaurant, Stratton Equipment and Beaver Mills Market.
Organizers will also be offering the opportunity to have the run timed for those wanting to know how fast they can do it.
When Fox’s journey began at the Atlantic back on April 12, 1980, everybody “thought it was a lark,” Stalker recalled, pointing to how the police in Quebec were telling Fox to get off the road and that he was blocking traffic.
“But he wouldn’t stop, and he got into Ontario and that’s when he took off, because that’s when they realized it was the real deal,” said Stalker.
During the Marathon of Hope, Fox ran about 42 kilometres (26 miles) every day.
They had hoped to see Terry Fox run when he arrived in Thunder Bay, said Stalker.
But on Sept. 1, 1980, Fox was forced to stop running just outside of Thunder Bay—cancer had appeared in his lungs. He passed away in June the following year.
“With the research they’ve done, Terry Fox wouldn’t have died from his cancer,” said Stalker about the progress that has been made. “With the research that they’ve done and the money that they’ve brought in, that would have saved his life.
“They’ve interviewed people who have had the same cancer as Terry Fox, and some of them haven’t even lost a limb.”
“[Terry] had to die to establish this legacy where so many people will live,” he said.
“He was bigger than life, he caught your heart,” said Trivers, pointing to how her brother Walsh has never been able to walk or run. “So it was inspiring to see someone disabled do something bigger than life.”
“Terry Fox connected—[he] put a face on cancer and every cancer, and made it approachable, and made it real,” she said.
“I think that everybody’s touched by cancer, and yet everybody wants to play the ostrich game: maybe if it doesn’t touch me, I’ll be okay,” said Stalker.
“To me, it’s like insurance. I’ll go out and I’ll run my heart out for him, and I’ll collect pledges for him, and I’ll pay to get research done,” he explained. “It’s like insurance to me, I’m damn glad to do it, but God I hope I never have to use it.”
“And other people do, and those are the people he was running for.”
