Get ready to lace up and hit the streets in support of cancer research this weekend.
The 44th annual Terry Fox Run is taking place across the country on Sunday, Sept. 15, with Bradford’s local event starting at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre at 125 Simcoe Rd., with registration at 9 a.m. and the run starting at 10 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to walk, run or roll — whether that be by bicycle, roller blades, or wheelchair — and there is no cost to register nor a minimum pledge required.
“We want you to come out, have a good time, raise money if you can, make a donation if you can and be amongst other like-minded people,” said organizer Laura Vree.
In addition to one-, two-, five- and 10-kilometre routes, the event is also set to feature a free barbecue from Bradford Lions, a booth with free snacks and beverages from Zehrs, Magical Events providing entertainment for kids, Body in Balance Physiotherapy helping those who need, Genesis Gymnastics getting pulses pumping, and Pet Valu handing out goody bags to the first 25 furry friends.
There’s also a raffle planned for gift cards and donated items from local businesses including: Brick N Fire, Boston Pizza, Home Depot, Bradford Skin Clinic, Perfect SZN, Touch and Glow Studio, Bradford Jewellery, Dutch Treats and Vree’s own business Sweet Handmade Cookies.
Every registrant is to receive one raffle ticket, with additional tickets to be available for a price yet to be determined.
Terry Fox apparel including shirts, pins and postcards are also expected to be available for purchase, with all proceeds from the run, raffle and apparel intended to go to the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research.
“Who hasn’t been touched by cancer?” Vree asked. “Just raising money for cancer research is really important, and I love the physical aspect of it — that people are getting out, getting together, and doing something good for their bodies and their health.”
Both she and her friend Heather Fudge have participated in the charity run “many, many times” over the years, but this is their first year taking on the role of organizers from previous long-time organizer Elsie Silva Kniff.
So far, they’ve already raised more than $4,500 and Vree said it would be “amazing” if they could hit a goal of $8,000.
To that end, the organizers plan to have a booth at the Bradford Farmers’ Market this Saturday, where people can pre-register, or purchase apparel and/or some of Vree’s cookies in support of the event.
About 40 volunteers, many of them students, have stepped up to help ensure safety at crossings and along the routes, while the Bradford’s 37 Orville Hand Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron are set to line the beginning of the route and cheer on participants.
“The response so far has been amazing. We’re so thrilled,” Vree said. “I think it will be a wonderful day.”
According to the Terry Fox Foundation, the annual run has become a fall tradition in Canada, with more than 650 communities, big and small, urban and rural, English and French participating.
The run is named after Canadian Terry Fox who lost his right leg to cancer just before his 19th birthday in 1977, and decided to run the Marathon of Hope across Canada from St. John’s Newfoundland to Victoria B.C. in 1980 with a prosthetic leg in an effort to raise awareness of and funds for cancer research.
Between April 12 and Sept. 1, 1980, Fox ran 5,373 kilometres and made it as far as North Bay, Ont., before his health deteriorated and he was forced to end his run.
Fox later died on June 28, 1981, one month shy of his 23rd birthday.
For more information or to register for Bradford’s event, visit the event website, Facebook page, or email [email protected].
