The Terry Fox Foundation is in need of an organizer to make the annual run in Prince George a success.
After a decade in the position, Liza Arnold has stepped down to focus more on family commitments and because she's now on one of the 2015 Canada Winter Games committees.
"To see myself not put as much time and energy into it, I'd rather hand it over to someone else while it's going strong and they can continue to have the energy to do a good job with the run and possibly even better in the sense of increasing participation and money raised," Arnold said.
Stepping into the the role will be eased by the fact that a core group of four volunteers is already in place while a further 50 volunteers should be ready to help out on the day of the run. But time is getting short - this year's run is set for Sept. 15.
Arnold tried recruiting a replacement last fall without success.
Terry Fox Foundation provincial director Donna White said someone with a bit of energy and passion and some leadership and organizing skills would fit the bill.
"You don't necessarily have to have an event management or event planning background to do this," White said. "Just somebody with some passion and willing to take on a leadership role as well."
Now in its 33rd year, the run is held every year to commemorate Fox's attempt to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. The 1981 Marathon of Hope came to a heartbreaking end just outside Thunder Bay, Ont. when, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, when doctors discovered cancer had entered Fox's lungs.
Prince George has special ties to the cause, as it was here that Fox first tested his endurance at the Prince George to Boston marathon (now the Labour Day Classic) in 1979.
The annual run in Prince George starts and finishes at the Terry Fox statue at Community Foundation Park, next to Four Seasons Pool. Participants run, walk, cycle - even inline skate - a five kilometre loop as many times as they want. About 500 people typically attend each year.
Those interested can contact White at [email protected] or by phone at 1-888-836-9786. They're also welcome to call Arnold at 250-5565-4698 to get a sense of the commitment the role entails.
