INNISFAIL – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced cancellations and postponements of many traditions and events but the community insisted one had to go on no matter what.
That was the 40th annual community Terry Fox Run on Sept. 20 to honour the late young man who became a legend and inspiration to Canadians from coast-to-coast.
Even though it was billed as a virtual event under the theme, Terry Fox Virtual Run. One Day. Your Way, locals still contributed about $4,000, which was down from the nearly $9,000 collected last year.
Patrick Gleason, the event’s longtime organizer, said there were between 15 to 20 local citizens who went out for a committed run or walk to properly commemorate the 40th anniversary of the late hero’s triumph.
“It was very strange because usually it is a very busy day for me and it wasn’t. It was all out of my hands on the actual day,” said Gleason, noting citizens were invited to contribute pledges online to terryfox.org.
“Thank goodness for our corps of people who regularly attend. They certainly went out and did their virtual run,” said Gleason. "It did show that are a number of people in Innisfail who are very, very committed to the Terry Fox Run.”
He went on to praise the Innisfail Lions Club, which he said has been a major contributor and supporter to the local community run for many years.
“They have been solidly behind us financially for the last several years and once again came through with a significant donation. It was really quite a campaign saviour,” said Gleason, who also noted the service group’s support in non-pandemic years when the event is hosted at Centennial Park. “They are there to help set up. They are there to help get the runners’ sheets ready and they are great with clean up.”
Gleason said despite this year’s COVID obstacles, he is looking forward to next year when the event will hopefully be staged from its traditional Centennial Park venue.
“And for us to be able to share food with the participants and have more of a celebratory occasion,” he said. “In previous years we made Centennial Park the focal point for not only the Terry Fox Run but a Terry Fox celebration.
“I missed that this year,” he added. “Ideally next year we are back to starting off from Centennial Park and back to merchants contributing food products and stuff and for us to have a celebration.”
