“…but I might not make it, and if I don’t make it, then the Marathon of Hope better continue. It has to go on without me.” – Terry Fox 1980
As Oakville gears up for the annual Terry Fox Run, all Oakville residents are invited to honour Terry Fox’s wish and continue his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research.
Oakville’s 38th annual Terry Fox Run will be held on Sunday, September 16 at Coronation Park. Walk, bike, board, blade, run, push a stroller or walk the dog along a beautiful lake-side 2k, 5k or 10k route. Participants are encouraged to car pool and are reminded there is no parking in Coronation Park itself, and are asked to observe all “No Parking” signs on side streets nearby.
The Run’s official start time is 10:00 a.m., with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. Opening ceremonies will once again be hosted by former Toronto Argonaut Dan Ferrone and O Canada will be performed by Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance students at Sheridan College.
The event is non-competitive and family-friendly with leashed dogs welcome participants. There is no registration fee or minimum donation required.
Once again, Run day will feature a kids’ activity tent, music, food and fun. Terry Fox Run t-shirts will be available on site, $20 for cotton and $30 for dri-fit, with all proceeds from sales going to the Terry Fox Foundation. Cash sales only. Bronte Harbour Chiropractic Clinic and Oakville Massage and Wellness Clinic will be on hand to treat participants.
Once again, Oakville’s Terry Fox Run will be plastic water bottle free. Participants are invited to bring their own water bottles and refill them before and after the run. Compostable cups will also be available. Harper’s Landing will donate freshly baked muffins, Longos will supply fresh fruit and Voortman Cookies will donate cookies for participants to enjoy.
Again this year the Oakville run site will feature special ‘In Memory Of’ and ‘In Honour Of’ road signs on sale for $5 each, honouring a friend or family member who has experienced cancer. This year there will be the option to pay for everything from t-shirts to registration and donations via credit card readers.
There is still time to ‘Team Up for Terry Fox.’ Teams can be as few as two people or as many as 200 or more. Teaming up for Terry is a special opportunity to come together to make a difference in the fight against cancer and to bond as families, friends and neighbours while showing your commitment to giving back. To form your own team visit www.terryfox.org and click on the Team Up For Terry tab. Registration for teams and individuals will also be available on site the morning of the Run. Pledge sheets can be downloaded on the site as well and registration is available on-site on Run morning. Teams are invited to set up tents, bring friends and enjoy a fun day at the park post-run.
“The support of local businesses, service clubs and families is so important to the Oakville community and to the success of the Terry Fox Run,” said Pam Damoff, Chair of the Oakville Terry Fox Run. “By teaming up with the Terry Fox Run to raise funds for cancer research, these folks are continuing a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of everyone touched by cancer.”
Volunteers are still required to assist on run morning with everything from marshaling along the run route and working the registration table to cheering on run finishers. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jasper Moester at jasper.terryfoxoakville@gmail.com. Students will receive volunteer hours for their efforts.
The Terry Fox Foundation is proud of the fact that 84% of all funds raised go directly to research into treatments for all forms of cancer. This spring at the Ontario Terry Fox Organizer Workshop, the Oakville Terry Fox Run Committee was awarded the Terry Fox Run Milestone Award for raising $2.200,000 to date. When Terry began his run in 1980, he said, “If we all give one dollar, we’d have $22 million for cancer research, and I don’t care man, there’s no reason that isn’t possible!” We agree. At this year’s 38th annual Run, we are asking Oakville residents to help us raise $1 for every Oakville resident or $200,500. As Terry According to Terry, there’s no reason that isn’t possible.
Oakville’s 38th Annual Terry Fox Run will be held on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Coronation Park at 10:00 am, with registration at 9 am. Walk, bike, board, blade, run, push a stroller or walk the dog along a beautiful lake-side 2k, 5k or 10k route.
For more information contact:
Keri Schoonderwoerd, Oakville Terry Fox Run
keri.schoonderwoerd058@sympatico.ca 905-483-6091