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91Ô­´´ man completes epic run that raised $11K for cancer research

Fred Setterington was welcomed back home to 91Ô­´´ by friends and family Monday
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Fred Setterington wrapped up a 21-day cancer fundraising run through B.C. with his son, Nate, by his side on Monday, July 28 in 91Ô­´´.

Fred Setterington ran across the finishing line of his epic weeks-long run with his nine-year-old son, Nate, by his side on Monday, July 28.

He finished the final footsteps of a 21-day run and bike ride that covered 882 kilometres across southern British Columbia, all to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation.

"My two goals were bring awareness for cancer research, and to also raise funds for cancer research, but my larger goal was to inspire people," Setterington said after he concluded the run.

"If you go and try to strive for those things, you'll be surprised by what your body and your mind can actually go through," he said.

The physically toughest moment was getting to the snowshed on the Coquihala Highway, he said.

"When I was past that… I knew I could do any of the other days," said Setterington.

Setterington set out to raise $10,000, and as he crossed the finish line, he had collected $11,179.

He was inspired by Terry Fox, who set out to run across Canada on a prosthetic after losing a leg to cancer in 1980. Fox covered 5,373 km before he had to stop because his cancer had returned. Before he died in 1981, Fox's Marathon of Hope had raised $23 million.

Setterington's Hope's Marathon is named after his 11-year-old daughter, Hope.

His family members, including wife Danelle Joe-Setterington, Hope, and Lucas, were along for much of the trip.

"We knew that this journey would be tough," Joe-Setterington said after her husband had finished his run, and she said that she was proud of his determination and endurance.

"It means so much to me, because I've lost both my parents to cancer," she said.

Setterington has also lost relatives on his side of the family to cancer over the years.

A local teacher and coach, Setterington said he is now studying for his level four refereeing certification for volleyball.

As for future long runs, he was planning to take a break for a while, he said.



Matthew Claxton

About the Author: Matthew Claxton

Raised in 91Ô­´´, as a journalist today I focus on local politics, crime and homelessness.
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