Terry Fox Run hits the streets Sunday

By Rob Vogt
It was 44 years ago when a man with a prosthetic right leg dipped that foot in the Atlantic Ocean to start his run across Canada.
Calling it the “Marathon of Hope”, Terry 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. 15 at the Claresholm Fire Hall.
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.
“Whatever you feel like,” she said.
She noted the Terry Fox Foundation has helped so much in the fight against cancer by funding research and high-impact initiatives.
“There’s no cure yet,” she said, noting survival rates have increased over the years.
“They’re making progress,” Hahn said. “There’s still work to be done.
“And it (the Terry Fox Run) supports that work.”
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, who has been to the run many times, is taking over from long-time organizer Deb Lozeman, who retired after organizing the Terry Fox Run more than 20 years.
“We’re going to keep it going,” she said.