SUNDRE – The organizer of the local community Terry Fox Run continues to keep alive not only the legacy of the Marathon of Hope but also her family’s tradition of hosting the cancer research fundraiser.
Annalise Fricker’s father Terry Leslie, who has participated in every run since the Marathon of Hope of 1981, organized the inaugural Terry Fox Run in Sundre two years later in 1983. Decades later, Leslie passed on the proverbial torch to Fricker in 2017 and she has continued the family tradition.
About a dozen people were at Snake Hill on Sunday, Sept. 15 to participate in the Terry Fox Run, which this year had the theme No Matter What.
When Fox embarked on his inspiring endeavour to journey across Canada in 1980, running the equivalent of a marathon a day to raise cancer awareness and support, he endured against the odds undaunted.
“Whether he had hundreds of people cheering him on or was alone on the road, Terry ran for 143 days straight,” Fricker said addressing the group before starting the run.
“He persevered through snow, rain, wind and heat, not matter the journey, not matter the odds – no matter what,” she said.
Although Leslie was out of country visiting Europe with his wife Debbie at the time, he sent Annalise a message to read to those who gathered extending best wishes to all who took part.
“The time you take to organize, promote and participate in this event is far reaching and the results not always measurable but truly significant,” said Fricker, reading Leslie’s statement.
“We miss being a part of Sundre’s Terry Fox Run but you are very close in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to all who battle, who have survived, who courageously fought as well as those who have made this event so important to so many lives – this year’s message of No Matter What is truly reflective!” she read.
“It is certainly one that ran through my mind as we walked through the Scottish hills, along with the rising sun and the cows who literally stampeded out to greet me.”
The group then parted ways to embark on their own run, choosing their preferred routes in and around town either along the asphalt walking path as well as the Snake Hill and Red Deer River nature trails.
Although some donations were still coming in as of the time of the run, Fricker said that approximately $80,000 had been raised from 1983 to 2023.
And like all too many Canadians, the cause is near and dear to Fricker’s heart, with her husband Ron having only just about two years ago been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
