ST. PAUL – The community is gearing up for the annual Terry Fox Run in St. Paul to be held on Sept. 17, and a new route will offer a slightly different view for those who take part.
The Terry Fox Run is held each year across Canada every third Sunday of September.
The run is a charity event in support of cancer research, inspired by Canadian humanitarian Terry Fox and his historical Marathon of Hope. Fox had his leg amputated at the age of 18 in 1977. Three years later, in 1980, he ran for 3,339 miles across Canada, raising over $1.7 million for cancer research.
Fox died on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22, and since then, Canadians have been holding their own annual runs inspired by Fox’ tale in support of cancer research.
The Terry Fox Foundation stated on their website that a total of $850 million has been raised as of 2022.
Janna Zarowny is the main organizer for the run in St. Paul. She said the charity run is 100 per cent volunteer driven. “You could say 79 cents of every dollar goes straight to research. Very little money goes toward administration.”
Annually, across Canada, about 3.6 million people participate in the run, says Zarowny. While it’s called a run or a race, people can bike, scoot, or even walk, she adds.
Zarowny expressed her excitement for the upcoming run, encouraging others to join as well.
“We would love to see new people come out and participate. This is a fun, family-centred event. Anybody can come.”
There are also some changes taking place to this year’s run in St. Paul, according Zarowny.
Traditionally, the run begins at the St. Paul Recreation Centre. But this year, the run will start at École du Sommet (4609 40 Street). “We have a five-kilometre route in St. Paul,” that will largely include passing through Lagasse Park.
Registrations will also begin earlier this year at 9 a.m., with the run starting at 10 a.m.
To donate and get involved in the St. Paul run, people can visit the Foundation’s website at run.terryfox.ca/28911
