By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather was as good as it was going to get. The breeze off the lake made it rather pleasant.
There were hundreds, hundreds of people milling about and getting read to do their 5k walks or runs.
The day went off without a hitch – no one that I was aware of needed medical help.
Hundreds head west to the canal – carrying their thoughts with them.
There was plenty of flavoured and fruit and snacks for those that needed an energy boost.
There was energy bursting out all over the place.
The “warm up ladies kept things moving at a healthy pace.
Two women, I call them the “warm up” ladies. They shared the microphone and kept people informed and at the same time kept things moving.
People registered and took their turns when the kind of walk or run they were doing was going to take place was up.
The walk was from the rear of the Waterfront Hotel westward to the canal and back to the hotel.
From there people went to the picture stand where groups got to make up their sign: Team MVP or whatever the group was. Numerous families were out as Teams.
Jeanette is the Run house photographer
Then the group picture was taken.
Each Team had sponsors who paid an amount for every km walked.
Some of the Teams were walking months before the actual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research – for make no mistake about it – this event was to raise funds for cancer research and for individuals and families to remember people they had lost.
No word yet on exactly how many people ran or walked – we don’t know yet how much was raised.
The group that made the event happen is large – we will pull together a follow up report later in the month.
For today – enjoy the pictures of those that took part.
One gentleman was in the walk for the 44th time – he has run every race since that first in 1980.
The “warm up ladies” made numerous mentions of next year being the 45th. Expect the crowds to be as good.
Imagine what Burlington will do on the 50th anniversary and wonder about how close we might be to actually curing cancer.
Dr. John Goffin; Associate Professor, Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences.
We know now that if caught early enough cancer can be beaten. Much of the credit goes to the medical practitioners and the scientists who do the research that has gotten us to where we are; additional funds were raised today to pay for more research.
Dozens and dozens of young people worked at different tasks. This young man handed out fruit and snacks to people.
The Run has always been a family event; from those in strollers to those old enough to take on some of the work that has to be done.
The Run isn’t just an occasion to raise funds. For many it is an opportunity to pause and take the time to remember those who were lost. There is a Remembrance board that people write a note on and a sticker that is given to people who want to name the person they lost and put it on their T shirt or on a stroller.
There will be more tomorrow morning.
Related news story:
We remember Terry Fox and work to reach the goal he was unable to reach
Leave a Reply