WINNIPEG — Hundreds of Winnipeggers gathered at Assiniboine Park on Sunday morning to pay tribute to one of Canada’s icons and one of Winnipeg’s sons – by running.
The 36th annual Terry Fox Run has become a ritual, supported by thousands of Canadians across the country. Fox and his 143 day “Marathon of Hope” from St. John’s, N.L. to Thunder Bay, Ont. has become Canadian lore.
Children at the event reflected on what Terry Fox’s legacy has left behind for them.
“Don’t stop and don’t give up basically. He taught us to keep on going,” said one young participant.
“Never give up,” said another little girl.
Beginning in 1980, Fox ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day, hoping to raise one dollar from every Canadian to go towards cancer research.
Something that has inspired Michael Prokipchuk to take part in the event for the last few years, raising around $4,000.
“I guess I think it’s pretty important because everyone is coming together as a big community to like help raise money for one specific thing. That’s pretty cool because there are I don’t know how many people, more than you can count,” said Prokipchuk.
Since Fox’s death in 1981, the Terry Fox Run has continued in over 9,000 communities across the country. Participants, like the ones at Assiniboine Park can run, walk or bike, all while continuing to raise funds for cancer research.
More to come.