Parkland Ambulance racers and supporters pose for a photo after winning the annual Terry Fox Relay Race. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Great Cause

Parkland Ambulance crowned champions of annual Terry Fox Relay Race

Sep 7, 2024 | 5:05 PM

Parkland Ambulance are champions once again of the annual Terry Fox First Responders Relay Race.

The win is the first in five years for the team as the Prince Albert Fire Department came in second, and the Prince Albert Police Service finished third.

Crossing over the finish line, Chris Pacey with Parkland Ambulance said it was nice to beat the fellow first responders in the race.

“It was huge,” he said, noting that we last raced in the event in 2019. “We finally dethroned the police which was nice to see.”

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This year’s race was held at Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI) rather than where it’s normally held at the Harry Jerome Track in Prime Minister’s Park. The reason being is renovations on the track have yet to be complete, and it’s expected to be ready by the end of September.

With the new race site came new obstacles as PACI’s track is made of gravel, rather than rubber like the Harry Jerome Track.

“It definitely played a huge role in some of the speed out there,” Pacey laughed.

Paramedic Chris Pacey crosses the finish line, leaving his opponents in the dust. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

The race is also a lead up event to the annual Terry Fox Run, an annual non-competitive charity event held around the world to raise money for cancer research. To this day, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $850 million and funded 1,300 innovative cancer research projects.

When asked about what Terry Fox means to him, Pacey described him as a hero.

“He’s a Canadian staple himself and really provides that hope for those that are undergoing treatment. He’s really someone to look up to at the end of it all.”

Another racer on Saturday was there for more than just a chance at beating his friends, but rather to support a family member who beat cancer.

“Sadly, like most Canadians and people around the world, cancers touched all of our lives,” said teary-eyed firefighter Wade Fehr. “My wife is a cancer survivor so events like this are close to my heart. I’m just so happy to be able to take part.”

He, too, called Terry Fox a hero.

“He the greatest Canadian, nobody has a heart like him.”

Before the race began, each emergency service made a $500 donation to the Terry Fox Foundation, totalling $1,500.

A group photo of the racers and organizers of the event. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

The annual Terry Fox Run is set for Sept. 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse with registration beginning at 12:00 p.m. More information about the event can be found by clicking here.

To make a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation, click here.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com