Author: The Record
Published September 10, 2024

Photo by Géraldine Lemonde
Bishop’s College School’s Alistair S., Form VII student, Julie Massé, Athletic Coordinator, Jeff Bray, Director of Athletics and Victoria H., Form VII student

Lennoxville Terry Fox Run to raise funds and awareness for cancer research this weekend

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The annual Lennoxville Terry Fox Run, hosted by Bishop’s College School (BCS), will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15, continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting cancer research. The event will be held at 80 chemin Moulton Hill, with registration starting from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in the BCS gymnasium. Participants can choose between a 1.5 km family and youth run beginning at 10 a.m. or 4 km and 8 km courses starting at 10:10 a.m. The event is free, but donations are encouraged, and the school aims to raise approximately $5,000 through online and in-person contributions.

The event, which has become a community staple, is expected to attract runners of all ages. Snacks and water will be provided for participants, and commemorative t-shirts and stickers will be available for sale. BCS has been hosting the Terry Fox Run for over 20 years, contributing to the global initiative started by Terry Fox himself in 1980.

Jeff Bray, BCS Athletics Director, emphasized in a recent interview the importance of keeping this event as a community run rather than transitioning to a school-only event. “Even if we only get a hundred people from our community, that’s still a goal of ours—to try and keep it a community run,” Bray stated. Safety remains a top priority, with the 1.5 km family course being held entirely on campus to avoid crossing roads.

Bray also touched on the school’s internal efforts to educate students about Terry Fox’s mission. BCS prefects, the school’s student leaders, will deliver a presentation about Fox during an assembly before the run. “They put a personal touch to it,” Bray said. “Everybody’s story is different. They’ll give a bit of background on what Terry Fox did, but students will throw in something personal.”

This year, the school hopes for good weather and a strong turnout. Reflecting on his personal connection to the cause, Bray explained that the run hits close to home. “It affects all of us. There’s hardly a family out there who hasn’t been touched by cancer,” he said. Bray mentioned friends and colleagues currently battling the disease, underscoring how cancer research continues to make strides toward improving outcomes.

Bray also reflected on the awe-inspiring legacy of Terry Fox and the sheer determination it took to run a marathon every day despite using a prosthetic leg. “I see how my wife trains for half-marathons and marathons, and I think about how [Terry] got up every day to try and do one,” Bray said. “With no breaks—it’s incredible.”

The event symbolizes more than just raising funds for cancer research; it honours Terry Fox’s legacy and his dream to find a cure. The Lennoxville community’s participation is part of a worldwide effort to continue Fox’s mission. “Little Lennoxville tries to chip in and add to the big total,” Bray said with a smile.

For more information, visit: terryfox.org

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