Terry Fox Run takes place this Sunday starting at fire hall

By Rob Vogt

It is time to finish it – to put an end to cancer.
Forty-five years ago Terry Fox dipped the foot of his prosthetic right leg into the Atlantic Ocean.
His goal was to run across Canada.
Calling it the “Marathon of Hope”, Fox aimed to raise money – $1 for each Canadian – and awareness of cancer and cancer research.
Unfortunately, his cancer reappeared in his lungs, forcing him to stop his run just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario.
He passed away in June of 1981, and that September, the first Terry Fox Runs were held across Canada.
Claresholm has been there from the beginning, with volunteers organizing the run every year since its inception in 1981.
As other communities have lost their runs, Claresholm is the only community that still has a Terry Fox Run between Lethbridge and High River.
This year’s run will start at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Claresholm Fire Hall. Registration begins at 1 p.m.
The route is the same as in past years.
The route crosses 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 the four-way stop corner then turning around and coming back. It’s about eight kilometres in total.
Cathy Hahn, the event organizer, said people can do any distance any way they like, whether it is running, walking, riding their bike, or any other way.
She noted cancer can affect someone’s life quickly and unexpectedly.
“It would be the best if we could put an end to it,” Hahn said.
People can download pledge sheets from the Terry Fox Run website at terryfox.org, clicking on “Terry Fox Run” then “Resources”, scrolling down to “Forms and more” and clicking on “Pledge sheet”. They can also register at the run on Sunday.
Hahn encourages everyone to come out to the Terry Fox Run.
She pointed to this year’s theme which is “Finish it.”
“The goal is to find (a cure), to put an end to cancer,” Hahn said.