Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
The first time Courtney Hill took part in a Terry Fox run, she was a six-month-old babe in arms.
“My uncle did the run with me in a baby carrier,” recalled Hill, a Langford resident and organizer for this year’s Terry Fox Run at West Shore Parks and Recreation.
The daughter of Dave Hill has a deep personal connection to the run and a steely determination to help find a cure for the disease that took her father’s life in 2012. Dave Hill first began organizing local Terry Fox Runs in 1995.
“A close friend’s father is now in the fight of his life,” she explained. “That adds more motivation for this year’s run. It’s tough watching people you care about deal with cancer. If I can help in any way to find a cure I’m going to keep doing it.”
Hill stressed the importance of the work the Terry Fox Foundation does with the money raised, underlining that 82 cents from every dollar raised goes toward research. “That’s a huge number for me,” she noted. “That’s why I believe in Terry’s dream and support the foundation.” Last year’s event drew 60 participants and raised $5,531, Hill added.
This year’s event takes place Sunday, Sept. 16, beginning at 10 a.m. at the picnic shelter at West Shore Parks and Recreation. Registration is at 9 a.m., followed by a tribute to Fox and a warm-up for participants. The course will circle the 2.7 kilometres around the chip trail, and there will be coffee, a hot dog barbecue and cake for participants.
Everyone is welcome to participate, with no minimum donation required. Other Terry Fox runs are scheduled in Saanich and Mile Zero as well.