Three decades after Canada witnessed a 22-year-old's marathon of hope, people living in the Capital Region are keeping the legacy alive. Two cancer-fighting fundraisers drew an estimated 600 participants on Sunday.
Organizers hope the pair of events will raise at least $60,000, which would beat last year's record of $58,000.
Regardless of the final tally, at least one runner fighting the disease says he's bolstered by the turnout.
"I had the same type of cancer that Terry Fox had and to be a part of this event - and I see all the support here - honestly it keeps me going," said Chris Litke, who battles osteosarcoma.
For every dollar that's donated to the Terry Fox Foundation, $0.87 goes directly to cancer research. Litke says that too gives him hope.
"That's where my heart is at – it's a really grassroots organization," he said.
"Guys like me who decide to get the rare forms, we still got a chance that somebody out there is getting research funding."
Jennifer Ash's brother was Litke's hospital roommate when he lost his battle against leukemia in 1995. He was 16 years old at the time.
She says she honours his memory and the spirit of the Marathon of Hope by taking part in the annual fundraiser.
"Terry didn't want much… He wanted a dollar from each Canadian," she said while fighting back tears.
"So just coming out and doing the run and sponsoring what you can for cancer research is so important."
Carolyn Nielsen, who ran her sixth Terry Fox race on Sunday, says she remembers following the journey back in 1980.
"I followed his run and saw…. when he had to stop in Ontario. He was an amazing young man - very selfless, determined, very passionate," she said.
"We've had family that's dealt with that – with cancer – and… just wanted to help out any way we could."
Terry Fox runs are now held in 60 different countries, and have raised more than $500 million for cancer research.
Akua Gyambibi, who helped organize the two local events in Edmonton's Hawrelak Park and Sherwood Park's Broadmoor Lake area, says the original cross-country tour marked a seminal moment in how people fundraise.
"It united everyone to come out for one cause and that's what his Marathon of Hope was - to get Canada united against cancer," she said.
Fox ended his trek after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles). During his efforts, he offered a quote that is often repeated at his namesake runs today :
"I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to."
With Files from Dez Melenka
