With the competition for participants so high, it's the simplicity of this month's Terry Fox Run which drives its success.
"There are so many events raising money for different organizations," said run volunteer Liza Arnold, who has been helping to organize the event for the past seven years. "I think the Terry Fox Run has that personal aspect of people knowing what Terry's Marathon of Hope is that makes is successful."
Driven by the Terry Fox Foundation, the event abides by its namesake's wishes, Arnold said, explaining it has to be volunteer driven with no corporate sponsorship.
"We're really limited in terms of what we can do," she said. This year, in order to help drive up the participation numbers, the organizing committee has also launched a Facebook page for the Prince George run. Traditionally, the run brings in between $12,000 and $13,000 with about 400 participants.
The Prince George Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research kicks off Sept. 18 at Community Foundation Park, under the watchful eye of Fox's statue. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the five-kilometre course through Fort George Park open to runners, bikers and walkers from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
This year's run will be dedicated to Terry's mother, Betty Fox, who passed away in June.
The local run, one of hundreds around the globe, has a special connection to Terry Fox, as it was the locale of the marathoner's trial run prior to embarking on his cross-country mission. Fox participated in the Prince George to Boston marathon in 1979 (now the Labour Day Classic), as it was the longest road race in the province, to test his endurance.
Fox began his Marathon of Hope 31 years ago, raising $24 million before he was forced to stop after 143 days of running. More than $550 million has been raised worldwide by the Terry Fox Foundation.
There is no registration fee or minimum donation required to participate in the Sept. 18 event. "Whether you're bringing in 50 cents or $50, everyone is welcome," Arnold said.
Pledge forms can be downloaded online at www.terryfox.org or picked up in person at Stride and Glide Sports on 15th Avenue.
