It may have been about three decades ago, but Dave Stephens still remembers Terry Fox’s cross-country run.
“I remember the hype, and how tragic it was when he had to call it off,” said the Ottawa Terry Fox Run Committee member.
Whether they are old enough to remember Fox’s run, or have learned about it at school, more than 4,000 people are expected to participate in the city’s 29th annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research at Anniversary Park this Sunday.
Held in memory of a Canadian icon, the non-competitive, volunteer-organized run — which is accompanied by smaller runs in Orleans, Kanata, Manotick and Aylmer this month — is one of the largest of its kind in the country, and is expected to raise about $250,000, said Stephens.
Recipients of the Terry Fox Foundation grants include the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre.
“The money that gets raised on Colonel By Drive on Sunday comes right back, so there’s a real connection to the city,” said Stephens.
The event, which begins at 8:45 a.m. also includes live music, children’s activities and a fundraising barbecue.
Participants can register and collect pledges at terryfoxrun.org.
