ICYMI: Mark your calendars: The Squamish Terry Fox Run is back this weekend

Arguably the most accessible and family-friendly sporting event of the year in town, the Squamish Terry Fox Run is back on Sunday, Sept. 15.

This year's event will see locals run, walk or stroll starting at 9:30 a.m. for registration, hitting the pavement at 10 a.m. from the District of Squamish Municipal Campground beside Brennan Park.

Of course, the four-kilometre fun run aims to raise money for cancer research in memory of Terry Fox, who, in 1980, with one leg amputated due to cancer, united the country in support of his cross-Canada run called the Marathon of Hope to raise money and awareness to help fight the disease that had impacted his and many others' lives.

His run was cut short by his cancer, and he died on June 28, 1981, at just 22 years old.

His spirit, determination and generosity have continued to inspire annual runs in his name nationwide. The funds raised are making a difference.

Though no one is required to donate a minimum amount to participate in the run, the goal for the local race is to raise $20,000 from this year's event, says one of the organizers, Magee Walker.

"One of the stats I read on the Terry Fox Foundation website is that we've learned more about cancer in the last 10 years than in the previous 50 years. Most of us have been touched by cancer one way or another," said Walker. “It's amazing that now it's not a death sentence to be diagnosed with cancer. There's a great survival rate, but research is everything, and funding this research is everything. We've come so far, and it's so good for so many people, but there's still so much further to go."

Walker is part of a new organizing team behind the local run.

She said with the help of the outgoing group and a community of supporters online and in real life, she and her co-organizers have had a fairly smooth time getting ready for the upcoming big day.

"The reputation precedes it, which is really nice. It's not like starting from scratch," she said.

She notes that in addition to the main goal of raising funds, the event is a way for the community to come together in a way that has a very low barrier.

It is a fun run, not a race, Walker noted.

"You can run fast and sprint and see how fast you can go; you can come for a slow walk. You can get a coffee if you want—we have coffee at the finish line too. You can take your kids in the stroller—whatever you want to do ... It's about community. It's about coming out."

While they have a dedicated core group of volunteers helping out on race day, Walker said organizers could use five or 10 more people to help make the day go even smoother.

Reach out to organizers through Squamish Terry Fox Run on Facebook or Instagram or email [email protected].

Terry Fox t-shirts will also be available on social media closer to the event. 

Register for the run on the Squamish Terry Fox Run website.