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The Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, Sept. 15. Pictured on the right is Terry's brother, Fred (Photo courtesy Lethbridge Terry Fox Run on Facebook)

Terry Fox Run set to go this Sunday

Sep 11, 2019 | 10:57 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Get set to lace up your sneakers and fight to beat cancer.

The 39th annual Terry Fox Run is this weekend, with the Lethbridge fundraiser set for Sunday, Sept. 15. Local run organizer Bobbie Fox said well over 3,000 communities across Canada hold community runs in honour of Terry Fox and the fight to end cancer.

Bobbie’s father-in-law is the brother of Terry’s father, Rolly.

“I remember growing up and watching Terry run, and my mom was a big supporter of his. She always said he was going to do great things and I never imagined that I would some day marry into that family,” Fox told Lethbridge News Now.

“It’s an honour to be a part of such a legacy and just continue the vision and the dream that he had.”

Fox said cancer is truly something that impacts everyone in one way or another. She believes that Terry would be extremely proud to see so many communities join the fight against cancer.

“I think he would be humbled, he would be amazed, thankful and grateful to see how people, even in times of adversity, can come together as one community for a common cause.”

This year’s run will be a little different than in the past. Registration will open at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Civic Centre track in downtown Lethbridge.

This year, there is no designated route. In the past, the event had been held at either Henderson Park or in the river bottom. Fox said participants can run, walk or even wheelchair around the track and there is no set number of laps people have to do.

“It’s really truly up to the participant how many laps they wish to do. There’s no set number, so it’s really up to what their ability is and what they feel comfortable with,” she said.

“That’s what Terry really wanted – he wanted people to be involved, no matter what their ability. He just wanted people, people to be involved and to be talking about cancer, to be donating and fundraising to try to end it (cancer), so it doesn’t matter your ability. That’s why we allow people of all walks – they can run, they can walk, they can wheelchair…whatever they can do, everything is good.”

VOLUNTEERING

Fox noted that the run is driven by the work of volunteers.

She said they’ve got a strong group of volunteers for this year but welcome anyone looking to help with next year’s fundraiser to get in touch with the group.

In 2020, to mark the run’s 40-year anniversary, she hopes to set up extra events in addition to the run.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the local Terry Fox Run organization on Facebook, by following the hashtag #YQLTerryFoxRun or by emailing lethbridgeterryfoxrun@gmail.com.

Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother, will visit Lethbridge as part of a 30-day cross-country tour to speak with students, volunteers and members of the community. He’ll be talking about his stories of growing up with his brother and thank volunteers for their work in keeping Terry’s memory alive.

He will also speak at the run in Lethbridge on Sunday.

Since its inception, via the Terry Fox Foundation, the event has raised more than $750 million.