Participants in this year’s Terry Fox Run in Prince George head out from Community Foundation Park. Photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Who has not been affected in some way or other by cancer?  Sadly, not many of us.  And that’s why it is so important to perpetuate the hope and dream of Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope to one day find a cure for the disease.

While participation has been waning recently in some Canadian cities, such can not be said for participation in the Terry Fox Run in Prince George.  Hundreds of people took part Sunday in the 36^th edition of the event here.

“A lady named Sorene, who, like many Canadians, was involved in the run while in school and has done at least ten of them, says it’s “because Terry Fox is very inspirational.  He was the first person, I think, of his age and the first person who was impaired to do something so spectacular.  Doing the run that he did raising money for cancer he was the forerunner, he started it.  I think he’s a real role model and hero, for sure.”

Cara and Jasper were taking part in their first cancer run in Prince George, Cara says “we just moved to Prince George so this is our first time here, but I did it every year growing up in Smithers.  It’s a good community event and I think community activities are an important thing to promote.  Terry Fox did a pretty cool thing running all that way a long time ago and I think it’s easy to forget the big feats that people do but it’s important to keep the tradition happening by coming out.”

“Jasper also believes “it’s a good way to get out and support the community and show everybody that you’re actively going to be a part of it.”  Jasper, who took part in the Terry Fox Run while growing up in Whitehorse, says of Terry Fox, “super inspirational to run all that way with cancer.”  He also believes Terry was a heroic person “because of really challenging the limits on what you can do.”

Krystine and her young daughter Scarlett (below) were out to take part in their first run. Asked why she decided to get involved Krystine says “13 years ago I had cancer and I’m cured of it and I just thought this year I’m walking with Team Bond and decided to register and help the cause.” Regarding Terry Fox she says “I thought he tried to spread a great message about cancer research and awareness by doing his run and even now, many years later, people are still running for the cause that he had.”

“I think it’s really motivational for people overcoming cancer and fighting it and people who have been affected by it, so I think he was a really strong man for spreading this for people.”

And she’ll be back in the years ahead.  “Yes I think so.  Now that I have my daughter (just over a year old) I think it’s a good lesson for her to see what people do to help with cancer research, so it’s something I want to teach her when she grows up and this is something that I’ll definitely be doing, every year.”

Both Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond and Mayor Lyn Hall spoke briefly to the crowd about the importance of keeping the dream of Terry Fox alive by continuing to take part in events such as this.  And both paid tribute to Jim Terrion of Prince George, a man who has accomplished the amazing and inspirationally dedicated feat of raising more than $675,000 (correct) since 1991 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Jim Terrion (right) receives his one-of-a-kind plaque from the Fox family from Scott McWalter.

Lead Organizer of the Prince George Run, Scott McWalter, followed that with a special presentation (above).  “Jim, speaking about the Terry Fox Foundation we have something from Terry’s family.  This is a one-of-a-kind Terry Fox plaque, straight from the Fox family.  They would like to thank you for all of your efforts throughout the years.”

With that the 36^th annual Terry Fox Run headed out on its 5-kilometre route from the statue of Terry Fox at Community Foundation Park to Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and back.

McWalter says there were 711 registered participants for the run this year.  The Prince George event raised $13,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and donations are expected to keep coming in over the next week.