The Guelph run site for the Terry Fox Run is only a few thousand dollars away from raising one million dollars in total over its 39-year history, says this year’s race organizer.
Since 1982, the Guelph run site has raised more than $982,500, said Dave Picard, organizer for this year’s local race.
More than $12,000 has been raised online for this year, said Picard, meaning only about $6,000 remains to raised to meet the symbolic $1 million goal.
Terry Fox made his way through Guelph as part of his Journey of Hope on July 22, 1980. Fox had to cancel his journey before reaching Thunder Bay, Ont. on Sept. 1, 1980 after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres.
After his death, cities across Canada began to hold their own Terry Fox Runs.
In recent years, the local race has been bringing in an average of about $35,000, said Picard. If this year’s effort is similar, the $1 million mark will be passed easily.
“I can only assume we are going to raise that kind of money this year, as well,” said Picard. “I think that is an accomplishment to have raised over a million dollars in 39 years.”
The $1 million raised only includes the local run site, not other events like the ones put on by schools. Last year alone, local school events brought in more than $87,000.
“The schools do a lot of fundraising,” said Picard. “So we always have younger people being educated and know about it, so when they do get older they can come out and do it on their own or volunteer.”
Picard organized a local Terry Fox Run at the Guelph Correctional Centre for years before taking over the Guelph run site in the early 2000s.
This year’s run will be held at Silvercreek Park on Sept. 15. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and runners can complete the 10 km route any time between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
The route is also walkable and bicycle and wheelchair accessible.
Picard believes Guelph was one of the earlier communities to support the Terry Fox Run.
“I can only assume Guelph was one of the first communities to get on board, because our run site number is Run Site 3,” said Picard. “Having such a low number would indicate we were right there at the beginning.”
Picard said the earliest Terry Fox Runs held in Guelph during the early 1980s were held on the street downtown.
“I am not sure the exact course, but they have pictures of people running up the Wyndham Street hill near (old) City Hall,” he said.
