Over 80 people braved chilly weather Sunday morning for Drumheller’s contribution to the Marathon of Hope’s Terry Fox Run. Mostly consisting of Greentree’s Grade 2 classes, who have supported the Drumheller community’s run for the last 14 years, the group of walkers and runners marched down North Dinosaur Trail to raise an estimated $5,000 for cancer research.
Among the walkers, three longtime participants will be gifted with a plaque: Lyle Rowe and Edith Suntjens had participated in the first run in ‘82, and Wendy Laughlin and Donna Wilton has carried on Fox’s dream in Drumheller for the last 29 consecutive years.
“I’ve done it through the rain and the snow, I even walked when I was pregnant– and the kids participated when they were younger,” recalls Wilton, 49.
When asked why she’s particpated in the Terry Fox Run for nearly the past three decades, it comes as a no-brainer for Wilton.
“It’s a great cause, I have two survivors in my family, and some that didn’t,” Wilton said. “It’s a worthwhile cause.”
In the early days of the run, Wilton had said the number of participants hadn’t changed. The school run had not started until later on in the foundation’s life.
Those who were around when headlines of Fox’s almost inconceivable coast-to-coast run across Canada may have a connection with Terry which school children may miss today.
“Throughout the years, you watch more of it– the documentaries and learn the history to find things you didn’t know, and you realize what an inspiration he was,” said Wilton.
With the help of some food for fuel, donated by IGA and cooked up by the Drumheller Elk’s Club, organizer Sharel Shoff had said the event was a success.
The Drumheller run had raised $1,000 in hand at the time of the run, and are expecting close to $5,000 when money comes in, money to be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation for on-going cancer research.
“It seems to be pouring rain every time we do it, but it was quite a bit of fun with some wonderful people,” said Shoff.
“Terry Fox is a great Canadian we need to remember.”
