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Maple Ridge Terry Fox Run raises funds for cancer research
Hundreds joined Maple Ridge’s 46th annual Terry Fox Run on Sept. 20, raising $21,198 toward a $30,000 online goal as of Sept. 21.
Hundreds of runners, walkers and participants on wheels gathered at Albion Fairgrounds in Maple Ridge on Sunday, Sept. 20, for the community’s 46th annual Terry Fox Run. The event, which started and finished at the fairgrounds, was one of 560 runs held across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
Fred Fox, Terry Fox’s older brother and the event’s guest of honour, thanked participants for continuing his brother’s dream. He said cancer touches people directly or through family, friends and neighbours.
Participants wore stickers naming the people they were running for. Ronan Carlos, 16, visiting from Australia, ran for his friend Travis, who was diagnosed with cancer and recovered. Event organizers Deanna Dyer and Cameron Steen said the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows communities have raised $676,573 for the Terry Fox Foundation over 39 years.
Dyer, a breast cancer survivor, recognized Terry’s Team Members in red shirts: people diagnosed with cancer who are receiving treatment or recovering. She described them as symbols of hope, resilience and progress in cancer research since the Marathon of Hope began in 1980.
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy and Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald briefly addressed the crowd. The Alouette Elementary School Choir sang O Canada, while attendees also found bouncy castles, donation-based hot dogs and treats, and live music by Steve Halfnights. Terry Fox Run shirts for 2026 were available for purchase.
Fred Fox recalled being with Terry shortly before he was forced to stop his run in Thunder Bay in 1980. Despite pain and bleeding from his stump, Terry said he would do his best to continue and that the Marathon of Hope should carry on if he could not finish.
Terry Fox Runs are now held in 36 countries, and about 10,000 Canadian schools will begin holding their own runs in September. Funds support the Terry Fox Foundation’s cancer-research work in Canada.
As of Monday, Sept. 21, the Maple Ridge run had raised $21,198 toward its $30,000 online goal. Donations can be made at https://run.terryfox.ca/129885. Merchandise remains available, with proceeds supporting the cause; T-shirt purchases can be arranged by emailing deanna_dyer@sd42.ca.