Terry Fox’s brother in town for rescheduled run
Fundraising event in support of cancer research moved due to hurricane Lee
The Harvest Music Festival wasn’t the only event in Fredericton that had to be shut down due to last weekend’s wild weather, but the hiccup has led to a Canadian hero’s brother to take part in a rescheduled run.
Brian Rosborough with the Fredericton Terry Fox Run Committee said the capital’s version of the long-standing fundraiser had been scheduled for Sept. 17, but as hurricane Lee neared the Maritimes last weekend, it was decided to postpone the event.
He said the 2023 Terry Fox Run is being held Friday evening - today - starting at 6 p.m. the Fredericton Small Craft Aquatic Centre on the Green on Fredericton’s south side.
The rescheduling of the event proved to be fortuitous, Rosborough said, because it has allowed Fred Fox, the late Terry Fox’s oldest brother, to take part in the 43rd annual Fredericton’s run.
“We are just lucky that we have him this evening as he is in New Brunswick this weekend,” he said.
Rosborough said Fred Fox will say a few words before the event begins.
The event isn’t a race, he said, but is intended as a fun run, walk or bike ride, with a free barbecue for participants at the finish line.
Terry Fox inspired all Canadians when he embarked on his Marathon of Hope in April 1980 to benefit cancer research. He’d lost his right leg to osteogenic sarcoma, but nevertheless embarked on a cross-country trek on a prosthetic limb.
The return of his cancer forced him to stop his run in September 1980. He died June 28, 1981.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.