Thirty-four white doves were released into the air just before the run to recognize the 34th annual Terry Fox Run Sunday morning at Coldstream Park.
Two hundred and forty people of all ages walked, ran or rode their bikes through Coldstream to carry on Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope that gained worldwide attention in 1980.
Diana Williamson was happy about a successful turnout in her third year organizing the event.
“It’s something I enjoy. We have a beautiful location for a beautiful run,” said Williamson, who was too busy planning the event to join the initial start, but added she might go for a walk later. “Like most of us, cancer has affected my family and friends. I was in high school when Terry was doing his run and it touched me. He is an amazing man and the legacy he left is unbelievable.”
The event raised $5,623.60, a little down from its numbers in years past.
Bhupinder Jaswal has helped registration for this event for the past 10 years and plans to help out for the 35th running.
“I don’t know what it is, but I have such an affinity for him, he is just amazing,” said Jaswal. “His determination and courage with his illness changed his outlook on life. I watched him on TV each night and I thought it was absolutely amazing for a person that age to think of others and want to make a difference.”
Williamson says that the most touching moment of the race was when a little boy came back to the starting line with an envelope that a lady had given him during the run. Inside the envelope was a cheque for $500.
The five-kilometre run started in the park, making its way down Kalamalka Road to McClounie Road, up McClounie to Coldstream Creek Road, back to Kalamalka Road before returning to the park.
