When Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope, his goal was to raise $1 million for cancer research.
He also wanted to people to change their attitudes toward the disabled and that there were no limits to what someone might do if they had the spirit to try.
Thirty seven years have passed since Fox’s death, but his dream and inspiration has lived on and, to date, more than $750 has been raised in his name for cancer research.
On Sunday, September 16th, the Saanich Peninsula will again be the site of a Terry Fox Run; one of thousands that will be happening across the country.
Organizers are urging everyone to come out to show their support for the cause and, perhaps more importantly, to renew their faith in the human spirit that makes the run possible and sustains it from year to year.
This year’s run will once again start at Centennial Park in Central Saanich with registration at 8:00 a.m. and the actual run starting at 9:00 a.m.
If all goes well, the entire run should wrap up by 11 a.m.
The run, of course, is not limited to those who are able to actually run the distance.
There are three options for participants who can choose to run, jog, bike, or just walk the tw0, five or 10 km courses set out by organizers through the park and into the heart of Central Saanich. No one will be timing the run, and the winners are, quite simply, everyone that participates.
“This is my fourth year of organizing the community run for the Peninsula, one of three in the Greater Victoria area,” said organizer Marilyn Hodgson.
“The other two are at Mile 0 in Victoria and Royal Roads University in the Westshore and they are great, but I like to think that ours is the best with people who are dedicated to the philosophy of getting out there and making things happen.”
Beyond the feeling of accomplishment and being part of a lasting legacy, participants in the event will be treated to a pancake breakfast offered by the Central Saanich Lions and with all proceeds going to the run.
A variety of local businesses will also be on hand to support the run through donations of product and food to supplement the pancakes.
“I’d really like to thank the Peninsula Co-op, Fresh Cup Roastery, the Old Victoria Water Company, Fairway Market in Brentwood, Thrifty Foods in Saanichton,” said Hodgson.
“We’ve also collected donations from more than 30 businesses in the community which will be for our door prize draw and silent auction.”
Hodgson said that she feels honored to do her part in keeping Fox’s legacy and dream alive and is particularly thankful to the hosts of Peninsula residents who have ventured out to previous runs.
“In the past three years that I’ve been organizing the event, we’ve raised more than $106,000. That’s incredible,” she said.
Hodgson recounted how, in those three years, she has talked to many individuals who have had to meet and overcome their own challenges with cancer and other illness, and who have found inspiration in the attitude and indefatigable spirit that Terry Fox displayed; a spirit he challenged others to emulate.
Her favorite story, though, and one that she said demonstrates how one person can make a difference is about the man who inspired Fox in the first place.
“Terry had learned that he was going to have the amputation of his leg and that, even then, his chances of survival were less than 50 per cent,” recounted Hodgson.
“The night before his operation, his high school basketball coach, Terri Fleming, brought him a running magazine which featured an article about an amputee, Dick Traum, who had run in the New York City Marathon. And though his future was so unsure, that night Terry dreamed about running across Canada, and went on to chase that dream.”
Last year Fleming participated in the Peninsula Terry Fox run, still a part of the inspiration that fuelled a legacy of courage.
Donations to the run can be made on-line, and pledge sheets can be found at terryfox.org (Central Saanich) or at the site of the run on September 16th.