It was a simple message delivered by Terry Fox in 1980 and one that Newmarket’s organizing committee of the local Terry Fox Run holds true: If you’ve given a dollar, you’re a part of the Marathon of Hope.
“We’ve always kept true to his vision,” volunteer Muriel Lee said. “Our goal is to raise $1 from every resident, so with about 90,000 residents now in Newmarket, our goal is to raise $90,000. It’s simple, and it’s just a buck.”
Lee is part of the event’s organizing committee and has been a volunteer with the local group since its inception in 2006, after it was founded by resident Laurie Osbourne. The Terry Fox Run Newmarket group now boasts 160 members on its Facebook page.
“We’ve built a good volunteer organizing team, I can’t say enough good things about them, they’re fantastic,” she said. “We know what our jobs are in the summertime and we get things done, and we hope for really good weather on the day of the event.”
The local team kicked off its Just a Buck campaign over the Canada Day weekend July 1, and held a donation drive at Fairy Lake. That effort continued into August, where volunteers collected donations at three Beer Stores in Newmarket, raising $1,831 this past weekend.
In an effort to build on the momentum of the local run, organizers say they would like to focus on attracting teams to participate in the Sept. 15 run, walk, or wheel fundraiser.
“We’d love for more teams to come out, such as people who belong to running rooms, moms’ walking groups with strollers,” Lee said. “Sometimes people feel they can do better within a group, including families, who may be supporting a cancer survivor or participating in memory of loved ones.”
A warm welcome to participate in Newmarket’s Terry Fox Run goes out to former and new participants from the East Gwillimbury community, which will not have its own local event this year as its organizer is no longer able to host the run, Lee said.
In 1980, with one leg amputated due to cancer, Terry Fox embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.
All funds raised go to the Terry Fox Foundation. The Newmarket team in 2017 celebrated the milestone of raising $1 million since the run’s inception, 38 years ago. It also raises about $80,000 annually through campaigns and the fall event, itself.
Newmarket’s annual five kilometre Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, 100 Eagle St. W. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with a start time of 9 a.m.
Participants can complete all five kilometres along the route, with each kilometre marked if someone wishes to do one or three kilometres, for example.
For more information, visit the Terry Fox Run - Newmarket on Facebook, Instagram @terryfoxrunnewmarket, or visit here to register for the run.
Participants can enjoy a barbecue, refreshments and snacks, as well as a kids’ corner with face painting, random prize draws, and music.
~With files from Debora Kelly
