The weather was perfect for the all-time record turn out of participants and all-time record of total funds raised at the Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores) 44th annual Terry Fox Marathon of Hope on Sunday, September 15th (2024).
Including on-line and on-site donations, the total raised to date is $$33,405 surpassing the previous record total in 2022 of $29,967, almost $4,000 more.
Organizer Geordie Farrell said that Saugeen Shores has raised a total of $450,000 since the run local run began. “Our goal for next year is to round that up to half a million dollars.”
The total does not include the money that will be raised at the five local school runs in Saugeen Shores, which will all be held on Friday, September 20th.
“No matter what … don’t give up,” said guest speaker Dana Fox who was diagnosed with stage four cancer.
Message of Hope by Dana Fox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uauhkFMF5C8
For larger view, Click on image
At 90, Delores Spielmacher, has been participating in the annual Port Elgin Terry Fox run for more than 35 years, in honour of her daughter who passed away due to cancer. This year, despite a knee replacement, she walked and collected more than $1,450.
The cross-country team of the University of Windsor Lancers also made a stop at the event. The team and coach Jordan Collison had been at training camp in nearby Wiarton and, on their way back to Windsor, decided to make the stop. Collison, a native of Southampton, and former member of the Saugeen Track and Field Club (STFC) with coach Geordie Farrell, had participated in the Terry Fox run as a young student. Some members of the University team are also former members of the STFC and vowed to return again for next year’s event.
Following the warm-up with Holly Vanderzwet, participants headed out on bicycles, roller blades, running and walking along the shore of Lake Huron.
A complete total raised with be finalized following September 20th school fundraisers.
Geordie Farrell also explained that Bernie’s Boat, a dragon boat initiative for breast cancer survivors, is in Owen Sound. “I’m happy to announce that Saugeen Shores will have its own dragon boat next year that will be in the Saugeen River at Southampton Harbour and all local breast cancer survivors will be welcome to experience it.”
She also announced that Bill Vigars, who travelled with Terry Fox on his Marathon of Hope and who has written the book recently released, “Terry and Me”, will be attending next year’s Terry Fox run in Port Elgin. “He never attends any events as he finds it too emotional,” said Farrell, “but when I approached him and told him my story and the story of my husband, Earl, he agreed to come.”
Vigars was also named beneficiary in Terry Fox’s will and he will be bringing Terry’s memorabilia to the event and will be speaking in local schools.
