Oakville runs for Terry Fox and cancer research

The foundation in his name says Terry Fox would be honoured and amazed at the thousands of people who showed up at their local run today on Sunday.

CHCH News attended the event at Oakville’s Coronation Park where the Sheridan College cast of an upcoming Terry Fox musical performed.

Instructor John Connolly has been working on the production for 10 years.

“When I got to Sheridan and everyone was performing American material I was crestfallen. So I decided to tell a Canadian story.”

The tears started early.

Oakville city councillor and run organizer Pam Damoff says this may be the best attended Terry Fox run Oakville has had.

“The committee comes down before the race to watch the sun come up, and think about Terry and loved ones that are no longer with us. And when I see some of the people who take part, like the little boy in a wheelchair today going through chemo. It’s a really personal event.”

Ryan Atherley ran for his late father. His family has raised $130,000 dollars at the event over 5 years.

“In 2010 my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and it spread all over his body. One of the things he would do is power walk. He would win marathons in his age group.”

Before he could push himself through a marathon a day, all the way from one ocean to the other, Terry Fox’s cancer spread to his lungs. He died the following year.

There are more than 220 runs in Ontario alone held in his name.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to correct the last line. The number of runs is those in Ontario alone, not the entire country.