They’re still following in Terry Fox’s footsteps.
The Newmarket Terry Fox Run marks its 38th event this Sunday at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex with 1- and 5-kilometre routes throughout the surrounding neighbourhood.
You can register on the day of the event at 8:30 a.m., with the non-competitive run beginning at 9 a.m.
About 500 participants of all ages — walking, running, on bikes, some in strollers and some bringing along pets — typically come out each year, organizer Muriel Lee said.
Many return annually to take part because their lives have been affected by cancer in some way. Some wear T-shirts that celebrate successful battles with the disease, while others honour the memory of loved ones lost, she said.
“We hear the same message every year, that Terry Fox is a Canadian legend who still inspires us. People want to honour his legacy.
“There’s a difference between the Terry Fox Foundation and other charities, there’s an actual face, a hero, who wanted to stop the suffering, who said, ‘It’s got to keep going without me’.”
Kelly Punzo, owner of Functions Studio in Newmarket, has taken part annually with about 100 members of her fitness facility, family and friends for more than a decade. It is the one event that she makes an appeal to all her members to support because it raises funds to battle all types of cancer.
“We do it on behalf of all the women (members) and their friends and families who have been touched by cancer. There are very few of us that haven’t been touched by cancer in some way,” Punzo said.
This year’s run will be particularly meaningful for Punzo and her family, as she lost her brother-in-law to cancer recently.
Raising about $80,000 annually, last year the Newmarket event volunteers celebrated the milestone of raising $1 million since the run’s inception. This year’s fundraising goal is $90,000.
About 50 volunteers help make the event happen in Newmarket year after year, said Lee, who is marking 12 years as an organizer with her friend, Laurie Osborne.
She recalls taking part in the 25th anniversary event by biking the route with her family.
“So many of us have been struck by cancer in some way, and I knew this event supports all cancers, not just one.”
For Lee, having the opportunity to meet Terry’s mother, Betty, his brother, and his nurse has kept Terry’s inspiration strong.
“It gives you a sense of belonging … we all want his legacy to live on. That’s why I’m still involved.”
Even if you’re not up to walking the route, Lee said you can still support the event by coming out and enjoying the festivities.
“Just come out, bring a lawn chair, enjoy the music, have a coffee and some COBS (Bakery) bread — it’s another way of supporting Terry Fox.”
In 1980, with one leg amputated due to cancer, Terry Fox embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.
The annual Terry Fox Run has millions of participants in more than 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research, with more than $750 million raised in his name, as of January 2018. For more information, visit http://www.terryfox.org
For more information about donating or participating in the Newmarket run, follow Terry Fox Run Newmarket on Facebook and Instagram.
