Fall always makes me think of school and when I think of kids going back to school I think of Terry Fox.
I know you non-Canadians are thinking – who?
Terry Fox was a very athletic Canadian teenager and at 18 he was diagnosed with bone cancer. In turn he was forced to have one of his legs amputated 15 cm’s above the knee. Even with his own traumatic experience Terry left the hospital not worried about himself, but concerned about the other cancer patients; most of which, were young children.
It was then that the “Marathon of Hope” was born – as Terry pledged to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
After lots of intense training on his false leg he started his run in Newfound Land on April 12th 1980 and ran an average distance of the equivalent of a marathon daily. Word quickly spread and people started to get really excited as this young amputee continued to run all through the Eastern provinces. Unfortunately after reaching Thunder Bay Ontario the cancer spread to his lungs and he was forced to stop, after running over 5,000 km’s. Terry lost his life on June 28th 1981 and the entire Nation was devastated.
Every year most Canadian cities and school’s host a “Terry Fox Run” to continue his legacy and raise money for cancer.
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During my time in elementary school I had no interest in running, unless it was on a soccer field and so my memories of Terry Fox runs are of me walking and giggling with my girl friends. Once High School hit I was “too cool”, a smoker and I actually remember getting in trouble one walk for smoking during it!
However, now that I’m a parent, have had people in my life affected by cancer and love running and can now appreciate what Terry was trying to do – I plan on doing something I’ve never done: RUN THE TERRY FOX RUN 
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So on September 16th at Gage Park Hamilton – I’ll be running for Terry along with my family! anyone local is invited to come run the 5k with me. No entry fees, no registration – just donate whatever you can (there’s no minimum) and all proceeds go to the Terry Fox Foundation, which in turn goes towards cancer research. Anyone not-local is invited to run a virtual 5k and blog about it
ARE YOU IN??? (local peeps let me know in the comments if you can make it and I’ll send you an email) OR find a run site near you
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Questions:
1. Canadian friends – have you ever ‘run‘ the Terry Fox Run??
2. Has anyone in your life been effected by cancer??
I have know a few people that survived this horrific disease and a couple that didn’t. I feel blessed that for the most part my family is healthy. I can’t imagine having to lose a close loved one to such a thing. My heart goes out to anyone that has personally had to deal with Cancer.
3. Were you active as a child?? in high school?? or is this new for you too??
Other than hockey and soccer, both of which I gave up by mid high school I haven’t really been active. Now I need exercise daily!!!
I JUST watched a video about Terry Fox two weeks ago–sooooo amazed by him! {But yes, as a North Carolinian, I had no idea who he was until then!} I can’t even begin to imagine what his trek across Canada was like–I’m totally in awe of him and his efforts! Good luck on your run!
Hey Cherie! thanks for visiting
and that’s so cool that you just happened to see a video about him. Every year in school we used to watch a documentary about him and everyone walks or runs in his name. I am really excited to be able to run for him now that I’m healthy and active 
Thanks so much!!
I would love to run with you, except that I already agreed to play in an ultimate tournament in Guelph. We’ll have to find another run to do together!
well ultimate so close to the wedding we have to attend before sounds like you made the better plan
lol and yes, it’s fall!!! great running weather. I am running the Road to Hope Nov 4th half – I think there’s a 5 and 10k but I’m not positive.
I feel so excited that I know who he is. Does that make me unofficially Canadian for a day?! I would love to run that of we had it here.
Terry’s goal was to raise one dollar for every Canadian at the time, about $30 million. So far about$500 million has been raised. There is a huge statue of him near Thunder Bay, where he was forced to end his run, 143 days and 5,373 kilometers after starting. I stopped there once, last time I drove past there, and was amazed to see people break down in tears. Doing a Terry Fox run is one of my fitness goals.
I followed Martin Parnell on line as he was doing 250 marathons in a calendar year, and succeeded. Which is amazing, but not as amazing at what Terry did.
Good luck, Ali! I am doing the Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope the weekend before. I’m doing it with my stepmom who is the only survivor of OC that I know.
Cancer sucks.
I knew about Terry Fox. It seems like his name was just part of the vocabulary. Now that I know more about running I can really appreciate his quest (like you!) I will be running a half that day, so I will most certainly dedicate 5k of that run to Terry Fox!
Glad to see you’re doing the Terry Fox Run this year! it’s such a great event and perfect for families to do together!
This year marks the 3rd year that my family does the run together in my little town of Bowmanville. My mom, hubby and I are the runners, while my dad, aunt/uncle, grandma, cousin and my parents’ dog Charlie are the walkers. Bowmanville puts on a FANTASTIC event with a band to prep the crowed and free food when we’re done. One of the elephants from the zoo even comes to send us off each year. Pics from our first time: http://mypinkthumb.com/2010/09/20/terry-fox-run-recap/
My mom’s brother died suddenly of lukemia almost 10 years ago now (literally he had a heart attack and once in the hospital was then diagnosed.. he never left the hospital) and with me only getting into running in 2010, we decided to start a tradition then to do the Terry Fox in his honour. Our team is called 1UP! (think Nintendo and free life!) It was just my mom, dad, hubby and their dog the first year, but last year my grandma came, along with my cousin (the one who’s dad died), aunt/uncle and even my hubby’s dad! We’re hoping for the same turnout this year.
In terms of being active as a child, I did the soccer thing and figure skating when I was really young and then started horseback riding when I was 10. I did the competitive riding thing right up until I went into university.. even did some intercollegiate competing in the USA while at the UofG. I only really started to branch out and do more once I met my hubby. He’s really big on staying in shape and has stuck to his strict 3 day a week workout schedule for as long as I’ve known him! He’s a great influence on me.
I’m doing the terry fox run in etobicoke with my neighbours, all the families run together, it’s super fun and a great cause.
Us Americans know who Terry Fox is too:) he was amazing and so inspiring. Cancer has touched family and friends, but they have luckily survived. What a great cause. Wish I could be there:)
Hi there!
Yes cancer sucks my Nana had cancer, my mom is a survived. When I was a child I played soccer with my older brothers and climb trees LOL. In High school played volleyball, softball and ran truck but I was so slow, like now. Last year was when I ran for the first time this event with my son Adrian at his school. I would love to run and meet your family!! Please send me in email!!!
I work all weekend but wanted you to know that I’m excited and will be emailing soon
xo
I meant to write ran track LOL not truck ” )
I just have to let you know how it went with handful..as I said, I was not looking forward to the confrontation, but they were amazing! You are right, they are fabulous! I let them know, I heard about handful from you, just in case you hear from them.
I’ll run virtually, unless you want to fly me to Canada so I can run with you.
My cousin’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was pregnant. She went through chemo while she was pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy. Unfortunately, the cancer spread and she died about seven years ago. Her husband, my cousin, was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. He has had surgery, chemo and radiation and is right now cancer free, which is great. I have also had friends that were diagnosed with cancer and friends family. Sorry for a long post but bottom line, cancer sucks.
I was always active growing up but never ran, unless it was punishment in my sports. I swam, played soccer and softball then rowed in college.
I did the Terry Fox run several times when I was a kid…it was always inspirational and it is a proud thing as a Canadian that every year this run takes place…thanks for mentioning it!
I’ve never heard of him- what an inspiring story! I need to do a little catching up… love your new header and design! And yes, I was active as a kid, but not all that much until middle school, and probably not much in between sports seasons. I have a very different kind of active now!
Not all non-Canadians don’t know who he is
Mike and I watched a 30 ESPN special 30 for 30 about Terry Fox, he was very inspirational! It was also a very sad story.
I really wish we could join you, but with our marathon so close we can’t
I was active growing up, mostly swimming but I also ran cross country and played softball for a few years.
oh my gosh, that’s so awesome u’re running this! can i come up to canada and crash in on ur house?? i’ll stay to run but mostly i just want u to feed me.
as a kid i loved soccer but had negative 20 ball skills, so now i run in a straight line, i can barely handle that.
You’re wrong about non-Canadians not knowing who Terry Fox was. I’ve known about him for years – I think it was a Reader’s Digest. And I remember being moved by his story. It’s good to hear that the runs still continue today.
My son and I did the Terry Fox Run in Exeter, Ont last year on this awesome trail. We had so much fun but we going to a town closer to where he is lives to do this year’s event. My son isn’t a runner so we’ll be walking the 5K course.
We’ve lost some family members to cancer. My husband also survived a Malignant Melanoma, so this event is important to us.
In High School I remember doing laps and hating it. I just started at Learn2Run program in April of this year so I’m still working at getting a good pace going.
Donna I think what you’re doing is great! Especially considering how Cancer has impacted your life. I can’t even imagine having to deal with all that. I really admire those survivors and LOVE terry’s message and that the run in his honor still happens today!