The organizers of last year’s Terry Fox Run for cancer research are gearing up for their second time at the helm in just over a month and say they have a better grasp of the job this time.
“We’re finding it a lot more straightforward this time around having already done it once,” says Josh Cain, who stepped forward to take the lead in organizing Thompson's annual event in 2017 when the previous organizer left town. “It seems like it’s coming together easier.”
This year’s run will take place Sept. 16 at the Thompson Regional Community Centre (TRCC), with registration beginning in the lobby at noon and the run itself kicking off at 1 p.m.
People who want to participate and raise money can collect pledges online at www.terryfox.org or use the Terry Fox app and participants can also just sign up on the day of the event. Pledge forms will also be available at various locations around town, including the RCMP detachment, the TRCC, the Thompson Veterinary clinic and CHTM.
In addition to participants, the organizing committee – which also includes Nelly Duarte, Jennifer Nyhof, Jennifer Freeman and Stacy Martin – are also soliciting donations from local businesses for merchandise to give out as prizes as well as water, burgers, hot dogs and buns.
“There’s going to be a barbecue after the run and that’s when we’re giving our prizes,” said Duarte.
The full Terry Fox Run route will cover four kilometres along Cree Road and Thompson Drive but there will also be one-kilometre and two-kilometre family run routes for those who aren't up to completing the full route.
Anyone with any questions about how to register or help out with the walk can send a message via Facebook to the Terry Fox Run Thompson page or call Cain at 204-793-8429.
“We encourage everyone to come out and be a part of a Canadian tradition,” said Cain.
“We both thin it’s a very important cause,” said Duarte. “Thanks everybody for coming out last year and we hope to see familiar faces again.”
Fifty-two participants raised $1, 931.25 for cancer research in Thompson in 2017.
