INNISFAIL - Terry Fox Run participants of all ages walked, ran, skate-boarded and scootered around Innisfail on Sept. 18 raising money for cancer research and cures.
Funds raised go to the Terry Fox Foundation.
The annual Terry Fox Run, which began in 1981 to honour the late Terry Fox’s heroism and Marathon of Hope in 1980, has grown to involve millions of participants in more than 60 countries.
Terry’s Marathon of Hope took place in 1980 with the objective of informing Canadians of the importance of finding a cure for cancer.
He ran an average of 42 kilometres every day for 143 days. Terry was forced to end his run on September 1, 1980 when cancer spread to his lungs
The annual September event is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.
Community run organizer Patrick Gleeson had expressed hope that the event in Innisfail would raise $10,000 for the cause.
Totals will not be known for several days, said Gleeson.
Just prior to the event’s in-person 1 p.m. scheduled kickoff on Sunday, Gleeson estimated that pledges to the local fundraiser doubled from the previous night’s online-only contributions. At the time, between 10 and 15 groups had already hit the trail.
Many people registered after that including Scotiabank’s Innisfail branch group of more than 10 employees and their family, friends and animal companions.
Branch manager Cory Pointon said the Innisfail branch’s campaign this year had raised about $2,400 for the foundation.
Money, he said, branch employees fundraised for at wickets and its offices.
“It’s a great cause,” Pointon said as he and the Soctiabank group set off down the trail after registering.
Soctiabank, he said, has been a part of the Terry Fox Foundation for about 16 years.
Some who took part are cancer survivors. Others were walking for family and friends stricken with the disease and in memory of those who died.
The run’s route was altered this year, starting and ending at the Innisfail Twin Arena.
