In-person Terry Fox runs return to Mississauga for the first time since 2019
Published September 12, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Terry Fox runs are back on in person in Mississauga for the first time since 2019.
The 42nd annual Terry Fox Run will be held in person this Sunday, Sept. 18, and it’s not too late to join a run in Mississauga.
For the past two years, the Terry Fox Run has taken place virtually, with participants encouraged to complete their challenge independently due to COVID-19.
This Sunday, there are three Terry Fox Run events in Mississauga to choose from.
The Port Credit event starts at 9:15 a.m. with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. at JC Saddington Park, 53 Lake St. Participants have already raised more than $36,000 for this run.
In Streetsville, there is a mass start planned for 9 a.m. from Streetsville Memorial Park, 355 Church St. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. This event has already raised a whopping $175,000.
The Meadowvale Terry Fox Run goes from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m. The event is at the Meadowvale Community Centre, 6655 Glen Erin Dr. This event has raised more than $20,000.
Terry Fox School Runs are planned for Sept. 23.
Home stretch! Less than one week left to register! 🔗🔗 ➡️➡️ https://t.co/wSVosq0ZlS. 🏃♀️ 🚴 ♿️🛼💪💪💪💪. Help us achieve our fundraising goal! pic.twitter.com/WK4YzTrVKU
— Terry Fox Run – Mississauga-Meadowvale (@FoxMeadowvale) September 12, 2022
Those living in Mississauga back in 1980 may remember the Marathon of Hope passing through the city.
Terry Fox ran through Mississauga on Sunday, July 13, 1980. He left Toronto City Hall at 9:30 am on July 13 and ran along Lakeshore Road into Mississauga, according to Heritage Mississauga. Many people lined Lakeshore Road that morning, cheering, clapping and shouting encouragement as he passed by. Some people ran or cycled along side him for short distances. The Peel Regional Police gave him an escort through the city.
Fox stopped at a restaurant for lunch in Mississauga and then had a two-hour nap at a motel — the name of the restaurant or motel are not known.
In the early afternoon, Fox was back running along Lakeshore Road, passing through Port Credit, Lorne Park and Clarkson.
The City of Mississauga organized a welcome party for him at the northeast corner of Southdown Road and Lakeshore Road, which is now Twin Spruce Park.
Mayor Hazel McCallion reportedly gave him a kiss on the cheek, and said: “Canada needed something and you’ve done it.”
He then continued on to Oakville.
Fox was forced to stop his Marathon of Hope in Thunder Bay on Sept. 1 when cancer appeared in his lungs. He died the next year on June 28, 1981. Terry Fox runs have been planned every year since then until the pandemic. This year marks a return to in-person runs.
“Terry dreamed of a world without cancer – an illness that touches everyone’s lives in some capacity,” said Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother. “His legacy lives on through the passion and determination of Canadians who keep his dream alive by fundraising for cancer research without him here. We cannot quit.”
Canadians are encouraged to register, fundraise and participate in an event in honour of Terry Fox. All proceeds will fund innovative cancer research and there are no barriers or registration fees to join. Everyone is welcome and you can walk, run, blade or wheel in the Terry Fox Run.
To learn more, sponsor a participant, form a team, or register to fundraise, visit terryfox.org/run.