Community steps up and saves Terry Fox Run in Vernon

VERNON – After risking cancellation due to a lack of volunteers, the Terry Fox Run has been more than just saved — it’s shaping up to be one of the most successful runs in years.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Terry’s run, and the 30th year Vernon has participated in the event. In May, the Terry Fox Foundation issued an appeal to the community for an organizer to step up after the previous one stepped down due to work and personal reasons.

With the beloved event in jeopardy, community members came to the rescue.

Vernon resident Courtney Penrose heard the news and immediately volunteered to help organize the Sunday, Sept. 20, event.

“It’s been a special run for me in my life,” Penrose says. “I have family members right now fighting cancer. It just felt like something I needed and wanted to do.”

She has fond memories of participating in the run as a kid, and now enjoys it with her two children.

Along with Penrose, a co-chair and 50 other volunteers came forward to make the 35th anniversary of Terry’s run a huge success.

“So far with online donations, we’ve raised almost $5,000, which is close to what we raised last year including everything,” Penrose says.

People can register online until race day and are encouraged to collect pledges and sponsorships. You can also register the day of the event, and cash or cheque donations will be accepted on site.

Participants should be aware of a few changes this year, including the location. Typically held in Coldstream, the run has been moved to Marshall Fields on Okanagan Landing Road.

“We were really hoping for the 35th anniversary to get a big turn out and thought it would be good to change it up. It’s a flat route, accessible for young bikers, and there’s more parking,” Penrose says.

A five-kilometre route will take participants down Okanagan Landing Road, onto Tronson Road, and across Lakeshore Road before coming back to Marshall Fields. Runners, walkers, and cyclists are all invited to join in, and those looking for a longer route are welcome to do the course twice.

Another change this year is that people are being asked not to bring their dogs.

“Marshall Fields doesn’t allow dogs, so we’ve said no dogs this year,” Penrose says.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, and will be followed by speeches and the national anthem at 9 a.m., and then the race at 9:15 a.m. There is no registration fee.

“I’m hoping this year will knock it out of the park,” Penrose says.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.