The organizer of the 2009 Terry Fox Run in Thompson couldn't have asked for a nicer September day on which to hold the run, complete with blue sky, sunshine and temperatures in the mid-20s.
In fact, if Tracey Williams had her way, she would have asked for one that wasn't quite so great, saying she thought the sunshine may have actually dampened the turnout by prompting people to head out for one more weekend at the lake.
This year's run, held Sept. 13, attracted 59 participants and raised $2,608 for cancer research.
Those numbers are down from the previous couple of years, with last year's race bringing out more than 100 people to run, bike and wheel their way along the event's two routes. That was the last race organized by former Thompsonite Cheryl Broderick, who oversaw the event for five years before leaving town. Williams took up the challenge for the first time this year.
"This is more than a great walk or a great run on a beautiful day," Mayor Tim Johnston told participants before the run began, pointing out that cancer would touch the lives of virtually everyone in one way or another at some point before asking runners and walkers to reflect on the enormity of Terry Fox's attempt to cross Canada to raise money for cancer research. "He ran a marathon every single day no matter what the weather."
