The Terry Fox Run takes place this Sunday, Sept. 18, marking 36 years of runs dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.
Chilliwack’s run will begin at the Landing Sports Complex and head along Ashwell Road to connect with the Rotary Trail. Runners will carry on along Hope River Road, turn on Kent, circle around Fairfield Island Park and connect back with the Rotary Trail via Williams Road eventually returning to the Landing Sports complex.
In total, the run is 10 km. There are 5 km and 2 km runs planned for the event as well. The route is suitable for bikes, wheelchairs, strollers and rollerblades. Dogs are welcome on leash.
Registration begins at the Landing Sports complex at 7:30 a.m., after an invigorating warm-up routine led by Carolyn Pinset of the Chilliwack Family YMCA.
The run begins at 9 a.m., and a pancake breakfast will be served up by the Mount Cheam Lions Club members, by donation. Mayor Sharon Gaetz and MLA John Martin will be in attendance, and the Chilliwack Community Band will be on hand for entertainment.
Organizer Desmond Devnich adds that this is a special run that will be dedicated to Terry Fox’s father, Rolly Fox. The senior Fox died earlier this year, and was predeceased by his first wife, Betty.
“For the 2016 Run we will dedicate our efforts to the life and legacy of Terry’s dad, Rolly, a Chilliwack hero who died earlier this year,” Devnich says. “I miss his silly jokes and encouraging smile so much. So let’s work together to outrun cancer, Chilliwack. We can do this.”
Cancer survivors are invited to come out and take part as part of Terry’s Team. Cancer survivors this year will receive a complimentary red Terry’s Team t-shirt.
The Terry Fox Run takes place in countries all over the world, and is able to put 84 cents of every dollar raised toward cancer research.
While there is no entry fee for the run, and no minimum pledge, to date the Terry Fox Foundation has been able to raise more than $700 million for cancer research worldwide.
In addition to community runs, the foundation is involved with school runs as well. This year’s suggested date for Terry Fox School Runs is Thursday, Sept. 29.
To sign up in advance for the run, find a run in any city in Canada, or make a donation to the Terry Fox donation, visit www.terryfox.ca/terryfoxrun/chilliwack.