Squamish’s Terry Fox family-friendly free event is for everybody, and it’s evolving.
The annual run (or walk) will take place on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. following an opening ceremony.
“Every year we're going to try to add some more things,” said core organizer Magee Walker.
The fun run, sparked by legendary athlete Terry Fox has been an annual fundraiser in cancer research for The Terry Fox Foundation since 1981.
The Foundation’s website reads that the event takes place in more than 650 communities across Canada.
This is Walker’s second year as organizer for the district’s event, alongside her fellow core organizer Jon Milnes.
“Everyone from tiny babies to seniors come out and support it. So it's really for the whole community,” she said.
Walker confirmed that participants and volunteers of all ages and abilities, will meet at the Municipal Campground (39275 Loggers Lane) beside Brennan Park to embark on the typical four kilometre run and cheer each other on. This year, there is the option to complete the course twice, making up a total of eight kilometres. The course is wheelchair and stroller friendly.
Regarding the optional extension of the course for participants, Walker explained that she and Milnes were taking competitive groups into consideration, even though there is no obligation to even complete the course, or to raise any minimal amount.
“Four kilometres may not be enough to get serious runners out. So I thought if we offered the opportunity to double it, then maybe we could attract some more [people]. Squamish has quite a few athletes out there, so that's something that we're really trying to connect with,” she said.
“[We want] different organizations and athletic groups to make teams and have their members come out. We're still allowing a shorter option for families or people who just want to walk it and not be so serious. Feeling good in the heart is the prize; whether you're in first or last place, we'll be standing at the finish line clapping.”
Changes this year will also include live music at the finish line, performed by Monty Biggins, which Walker described as a “big score.”
“We were kind of conservative last year because it was [Jon and mine’s] first time running it, and we didn't want to bite off more than we could chew.”
Walker said that herself and Milnes hope to have special guests and speakers in attendance this year, as they did at last year’s run, which had around 215 people participating or volunteering. Last year, firefighters from Squamish Fire Rescue joined the event, as well as speakers from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Coun. John French.
There was also a post-run barbecue last year that will be happening again this year for all participants.
“[We want to] make the experience even more celebratory [this year], and make a full morning of it. It's a serious event, but it's also a fun event,” Walker said.
“I know every cancer affects everybody, but in being an organizer for this run, I was surprised at how many people—from the bank teller who helped us with our deposit, to the stores we approached to help us sell T-shirts—had stories of how cancer personally affected them or their loved ones. The event is really meaningful for a lot of people.”
The Squamish event has been running since 1989. Last year, it raised about $19,850, the highest amount to date for a Squamish community run.
Both Walker and Milnes are hoping to break that record this year; Walker said they are aiming for nearer $25,000.
“I heard of another community where their goal was to raise $1 for every person who lived in that town, and I think that would be an amazing eventual goal,” she said.
If they hit that, it will mean Squamish has raised $200,000 over the years.
Squamish’s fundraising goal is reflective of Fox’s own. According to the Terry Fox Foundation website, Fox superseded his goal of raising $1 from every Canadian (a total of $20 million at that time) for cancer research in his Marathon of Hope, all before his death in June 1981. Fox’s Marathon of Hope fund had totalled $24.17 million by February that year.
Walker and Milnes will be hosting a community booth at The Squamish Farmers Market on Sept. 6.
Participants may register and donate for the event on the Terry Fox Foundation website, where there is also further information on Fox’s life and work, or they may register in-person at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 14.
For updates and further details, folks can follow the Squamish Terry Fox run on Instagram or Facebook.
Those interested in volunteering or sponsorship can also contact Walker or Milnes at [email protected]
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter.
This reporting was produced through the which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
