Terry Fox run takes place this Sunday starting at fire hall

Marathon of Hope
By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
It was 38 years ago that Terry Fox undertook his Marathon of Hope. He was unable to complete that goal but, shortly after he was forced to stop, others continued for him, organizing the first Terry Fox Run in 1980.
Claresholm was there from the start, and has held a run every year since, becoming one of the only communities south of Calgary to do so uninterrupted for close to 40 years.
This year’s Terry Fox Run, the community’s 38th, will take place this Sunday, Sept. 16 at the fire hall with registration at 1:30 p.m. and the run at 2 p.m.
Debbie Lozeman, who is in her 16th year as the event organizer, encourages everyone to come out.
“Everybody is welcome,” she said. “You can run, walk, bicycle, you can bring your dog.”
Last year the event attracted more than 50 participants, and raised in excess of $8,000.
People can collect pledges in advance or show up on run day and give a donation. Lozeman emphasized there is no minimum donation required or minimum amount to pledge.
“Terry said, ‘You raise one dollar, you help us out’,” Lozeman said.
People can also pledge online by visiting www.terryfox.org.
The eight-kilometre route is the same as every year, crossing Highway 520 or 43rd Avenue West, going down Westlynn Drive to Eighth Street by the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre, turning south or left past the cemetery acreages and going to Hoffman’s four-way stop corner then turning around and coming back. It’s about eight kilometres in total. People who participated in the Terry Fox
Run before should have received pledge sheets already, but they are also available at the Claresholm Local Press, and at the run.
There will also be water and refreshments available at the fire hall.
Lozeman welcomes everyone to come out on Sunday. “To continue the Marathon of Hope,” she said. “It was Terry’s dream. He would be inspired by the number of years it has went.” She also pointed out that approximately 82 cents of every dollar raised go directly to cancer research.
Anyone interested in more information can contact Debbie Lozeman at 403-625-4084 or visit www.terryfoxrun.org.