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Terry Fox Run looking to up participation

Aug 26, 2015 | 5:07 PM

The annual Terry Fox Run is coming through the city again and organizers are looking for more local support.  

Local restaurant, Mr.Mikes, has stepped up and hopes to encourage the community to support and participate in the race.

The restaurant will be hosting a barbeque at the event and will have two $500 dollar patio parties up for grabs for the two local businesses which raise the most money for the run.

Caitlin Cleghorn, assistant general manager of Mr. Mikes Prince Albert, said their restaurant was inspired to get involved after seeing their location in Yorkton boost the run there.

“Mr. Mikes as a company is very community minded,” said Cleghorn. “We’re very involved in local charities and local non-profits, and this is an incredible cause, Terry Fox is such an inspiration.

“So when we were approached we were very excited about it.”

She said they’ve been encouraging many other companies to get involved including banks, insurance agencies, the Prince Albert Fire Department and the Prince Albert Police Service.

They also want to put out a challenge to other restaurants in Prince Albert and to local sports teams.

Prince Albert Terry Fox Run organizer Vern Hodgins has been involved in all 35 Terry Fox Runs since the beginning and is hoping to see participation increase compared to recent years.

“The last few years it’s been very disappointing to see how it’s gone down,” said Hodgins. “When the Terry Fox Run started in 1981 there were 650 people out at Little Red.”

In Yorkton, the Run was almost cancelled two years ago until the local Mr. Mikes stepped in, increasing involvement to 200 people.

“I really appreciate what Mr. Mikes is doing and I’d really like to see a better turnout,” said Hodgins. “Because we’ve got the Rotary Trail, rollerbladers, skateboarders, bikers are all welcome.”

Hodgins also encourages people to come push their baby stroller or walk their dog as part of the run.

“It really isn’t a race anymore,” said Hodgins, who explained the run was originally 10 kilometres and now can be any distance the participant chooses. “There are very few die-hard endurance runners who do it.”  

Paralympic athlete Brittany Hudak, the recipient of the Terry Fox youth award in 2013, who was nominated by Hodgins, said Terry Fox is a great inspiration for youth in terms of goal setting, self-esteem and motivation.

She said it’s important the run stays alive in the community.

“I think it just builds a stronger community with a sense of pride, Terry Fox being a Canadian hero for us,” said Hudak. “I think keeping Terry Fox’s legacy alive in Prince Albert and being able to share that with other youth in the community would just be great.”

For her, winning the youth award was quite special.

“I just thought it was such an honour to be able to win the award knowing that people in the community think that I display the same characteristics, or some, that Terry Fox had as well,

The run will be held in Prince Albert at the Harry Jerome Track at Prime Ministers Park on Sunday Sept. 20, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Those looking for more information can call Hodgins at 306-763-8335 or visit the website

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha