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Orangeville’s 43rd Annual Terry Fox Run to continue fundraising mission for cancer research

September 7, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

It has become a fall tradition across the nation and the world, inspired by a young man who started out with little fanfare on a quest to run across the entire country to raise funds for cancer research.

When Terry Fox died, never completing his task, he inspired millions of people to pick up the torch and carry on.

The annual Terry Fox Run will take place on Sunday, Sept. 17.

This will be the 43rd year the event has taken place in Orangeville, including two virtual events held during the pandemic.

Last year, 125 people took part in the local run, including 10 runners who participated in 20 or more events. Three of those people have completed 42 runs each.

Since the run began, the Orangeville event has raised over $400,000. Some schools host their own Terry Fox Runs and raise even more.

“It’s the Terry Fox Run, but it is not competitive in any way,” explained Mark Whitcombe, a former organizer who now helps get the word out to ask people to participate. “The local run raised $24,000 last year. Worldwide, the run has raised over $850 million. The money raised stays in the countries where runs are hosted. It is important to know that 79 cents on each dollar raised goes directly to cancer research.”

There will be 5km and 10km routes, but you don’t have to run – you can walk the entire distance. The main thing is to participate and help raise funds for a good cause. You can even do the run on wheels if you want.

Since Terry Fox ran in all weather, the run continues to honour his spirit and is a rain-or-shine event.

The Orangeville Terry Fox Run will occur on Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Island Lake Conservation Area at 9:00 a.m. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m.

You can register as an individual or as part of a team. Entrance to the Park is free for participants.

You can enter the Island Lake Conservation area at 673067 Hurontario Street, with the entrance of Buena Vista Drive.

To register for the Orangeville run online, visit http://www.run.terryfox.ca/28763.

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