No matter how many decades have passed since the original Marathon of Hope, each September Canadians stop to remember and honour Terry Fox.
Whether it’s sitting down to watch a film, shave a head or run for the cause, there is something for everyone at this year’s Terry Fox events at Mile 0.
An outdoor showing of the film Terry will kick off the festivities on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the monument of the Canadian hero. The movie will begin at dusk. Prior to the film, Johnny Vallis will perform at 7:30 p.m.
“Terry is a really well-done movie,” said Linda Johnstone, a volunteer and event organizer and a “People can come out and learn so much about Terry. It also gets people in the mood for our Terry weekend.”
The following day, Sunday, Sept. 15, are the Terry Fox Run and the seventh annual Terry Fox Great Canadian Hair Do based at Mile 0.
The run begins at 10:30 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. The route begins near Dallas Road and Douglas Street and participants will walk or run along Dallas Road to St. Charles Street and back to Mile 0.
“I’ve never missed a run, I’ve done them all. This will be my 33rd,” said Johnstone, a retired phys-ed teacher from Lambrick Park secondary.
This will also be Johnstone’s seventh year organizing the Hair Do event. It began as a head shave, but the name was changed to encourage people to cut their hair who may not be comfortable going down to the scalp.
“We do this to continue on Terry’s dream, so many people are surviving cancer now because of all the research,” Johnstone said. “Come on out and raise some money in Terry’s name.”
To sign up for the Terry Fox Great Canadian Hair Do, contact Johnstone at 250-477-6545 or lindajohnstone@shaw.ca.
For more on the run see terryfox.org/run.