PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
Kitchener’s Terry Fox Run has new location in Victoria Park
Kitchener’s Terry Fox Run has new location in Victoria Park
by Helen HallSeptember 12, 2017
Kitchener Citizen
After nearly being called off this year, Kitchener’s Terry Fox Run is back on track and all it needs is you.
Participants are needed for the annual fundraising event that will be held on September 17 at Kitchener’s Victoria Park for the first time.
Marcus Drasdo sprinted into action in May when last year’s organizer retired and it looked like there might not be a run in Kitchener this year.
He is a big fan of the annual charity run and has been participating in it since he was a child.
“It was an adventure and a half,” Drasdo said with a smile, referring to getting the local run organized in just a matter of a couple months.
The event was previously held at Sportsworld Crossing. Last year 162 people participated raising about $11,000.
Drasdo felt that moving it into downtown Kitchener would make it more visible and help to spread awareness about the charity walk and run.
He said the Terry Fox Run is more than just a run to raise funds. It is a way to raise cancer awareness and to honour Terry Fox.
Following a diagnosis of bone cancer in 1977, Fox, who was 18 years old, had his right leg amputated above the knee.
Not long after his surgery, Fox decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He ran for 143 days, but was forced to quit when cancer spread to his lungs. He died shortly before his 23rd birthday.
Because all the details of the new location in Kitchener were only firmed up a few weeks ago, it has been difficult for Drasdo to make people aware of the event this year and its new location.
“It is a beautiful route that is flat and easy,” Drasdo said. “It is good for all ages and all abilities.”
Drasdo stressed that it is not a race, and that participants can walk, run, ride in a wheelchair or a stroller, rollerskate or ride a bike.
There will be a 5 km route, and also a shorter route with a turn off after 1 km.
Drasdo has recruited some volunteers and received dona-tions of water and snacks to be given out to participants.
If you want to participate, you can register online at www.terryfox.org, or contact Drasdo through the Kitchener Terry Fox Facebook page.
You can also reach Drasdo directly by email at marcus@greenwichhomes.ca or on Twitter @marcusdrasdo.
Last minute participants can show up on the day of the run to register.
Registration starts at 11am in front of the Clock Tower. The run begins at noon.
Marcus Drasdo lacing up his replica Terry Fox running shoes.