Annual Terry Fox runs across Canada 鈥� including three held in 91原创 鈥� will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to hold the fundraiser online was made back in May, with all runs nation-wide taking place on Sept. 20.
Aldergrove, 91原创 City, and Walnut Grove have all made adjustments this year to host different variations of a virtual fundraiser and run.
There are typically 112 runs that are happening around the province, according to Donna White, provincial director of the Terry Fox Foundation.
This year is set to mark the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox runs, which have raised millions of dollars towards cancer research over the decades.
Emma Stewart, an organizer for the Aldergrove Terry Fox run, said it is unfortunate to have an anniversary fall during COVID, but at the same time illustrative of the hardships that Terry had to endure, adapt to, and rise above.
鈥淓very dollar matters and this year, through everything, it is so important to keep his dream alive,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淥ur goal is to raise $5000 with this year鈥檚 virtual run 鈥� matching last year鈥檚 total. We have raised $1525 so far.鈥�
Stewart added that Aldergrove is looking for and promoting local businesses to sell this year鈥檚 Terry Fox shirt in-store at and encouraged others to start thinking about registering as a team and fundraise together.
鈥淲e will be hosting a silent auction on our with donated items from the community,鈥� Stewart added. 鈥淲e normally do this in person and have great responses so it will be the same idea, just online.鈥�
READ MORE: 40th annual Terry Fox runs to be held virtually this year due to COVID-19
In 91原创 City, organizer Danette Haar is touting Sept. 20th as 鈥淣ot Your Usual Terry Fox Run鈥� that can be done 鈥渙ne day, your way.鈥�
鈥淎fter Terry was forced to stop he said, 鈥榚ven though I鈥檓 not running anymore, people should go ahead and try to do their own thing鈥�,鈥� Haar said. 鈥淭oday, 40 years later, we are in a year that is challenging us more than we could have ever expected. We have to think outside the box to make the best of our 2020 participation.鈥�
She said this year鈥檚 walk can be short or long, fun or intense, alone or inside your bubble.
鈥淧eople can go out anytime on the 20th, whenever, wherever they would like,鈥� Haar said. 鈥淭he 91原创 City run is planning to have some 鈥淭erry rocks鈥� on our traditional five km route to see if you can spot while out for a walk or run.鈥�
The rocks will be placed by Sept. 7 and will stay there until at least Sept. 21.
Walnut Grove will also hold their annual run in a virtual 鈥淥ne Day, Your Way鈥� format on Sept. 20.
Fox began what became known as the Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980.
The Port Coquitlam native dipped his prosthetic leg in the Atlantic Ocean near St. John鈥檚, N.L. on April 12, 1980, with the aim of running across Canada and finishing at the Pacific Ocean in Victoria, B.C.
He was forced to abandon his journey at Thunder Bay, Ont., because cancer had spread to other parts of his body.
Fox passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.
The first Terry Fox run was held that September.
People can register for the Aldergrove, 91原创 City, and Walnut Grove runs online at and fundraise or donate directly to the run of their choice.
鈥淭erry Fox had a single dream: a world without cancer. Help us make his dream a reality by registering to fundraise for cancer research,鈥� Haar asked, adding that she couldn鈥檛 think of anything that Terry would appreciate more than continuing the fight.
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