If you organize it, they will come.
Approximately 200 people turned up at Evans Park on Sept. 17 to take part in this year’s Terry Fox Run, where folks of all ages had the option to run or walk 2, 4, or 6 km. With the exception of during COVID this annual nationwide community event and cancer fundraiser has kept up its yearly pace since its inception in 1981.
Former marathon runner Mark Swannell who hails from Manchester, England and moved to Cowichan Valley five years ago found himself immediately inspired by Fox’s story. Swannell took the reins of organizing this event for the first time last year when the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre was still its venue. Swannell made the decision to change locations this year with the thought being that Evans Park would provide a safer route, and a more family friendly atmosphere. Swannell was right and plans to host it at Evans Park again next year while improving and building on the momentum of this year’s event. It takes a community to bring people together, and it was through the help and commitment of the Ceevacs Roadrunners, Cowichan Valley Dragon Divas, Queen Margaret School, and the Duncan Kinsmen that this event was a smashing success.
READ MORE: Cowichan Terry Fox Run hoping to smash $4,000 goal
“We had excellent feedback about the new venue and how scenic the course was,” said Swannell. “The course will be modified next year to enable it to be more accessible.”
There was plenty of momentum to the fundraising that took place this year. A week prior to the event Swannell was quite pleased and encouraged to see that they had already reached $2,000 of their $4,000 goal which was set for Swannell’s event by the Terry Fox Foundation. To say they smashed this goal would be an understatement — they more than doubled it, raising more than $10,000 for the foundation in hopes to find a cure for cancer.
”I want to give a big shoutout to our highest fundraisers,” said Swannell. “Teams from Arbutus Ridge raised $2,080 and Dean and Rob raised $1,075. Our oldest participant on the day was 91 year-old Pat Ridenour who fundraised $1,125. This is an amazing effort from Pat, who lost her husband Ken from colon cancer last year. She completed the 2 km course with her daughter Lesley Hartford, who is one year post surgery.”
Whatever the fundraiser, it is always encouraging to see money coming in, but what warmed Swannell’s heart even more was seeing community come together.
“It was extremely rewarding for me to see the excellent turnout we had and that so many community members came together for an important event, and great cause,” said Swannell. “The extra activities such as the bouncy castles, and face painting added to the event to make it even more of a family-friendly morning.”
