Terry Fox Run 2009

Our little town of Tecumseh has been hosting one of the many worldwide Terry Fox Runs now for 19 years. This past weekend we raised more than $22, 914. The participants can choose a 2 km, 5km. or a 10 km (6mile) course with most taking the 5km route. To put things in perspective, the city of Windsor Run (population @ 20 times ours) raised @ $28,000. Way to go Tecumseh!

Participants gather at Green Acres Park and register inside bringing in their pledge sheets or money they have collected

The elusive and very hardworking leader of this large group of volunteers is Janis Wright (she's on the left hidden by that evergreen branch)

they are often greeted by our very own Rose the Clown

Mrs. GTO and her friend Ruth share a few moments catching up with Rose

Kids are also welcomed by our very own Nibby, the town Mascot

We spent a few minutes talking to Retired RCMP Cpl. David Dauphinee who has a special tie to Terry Fox.

David was the first official to give him an escort shortly after Fox started his Marathon of Hope.

It was in spring 1980 and Dauphinee heard a radio broadcast about traffic being backed up on the Trans-Canada Highway leading into Cornerbrook, Nfld. He found Terry Fox running along the highway followed by a support van.

“I went up to Terry and it was then I found out about his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research,” Dauphinee said. “So I gave him an escort into the city. I set him up with the (local hotel owner.) He didn’t mind giving Terry and (his friend) a room and meal, but he was amazed when Terry ordered one of everything off the menu. But he ate it all because he was burning it off. He ran 26 miles a day.”

At the time, Fox’s efforts were low-key and hadn’t received much attention.

“When I met Terry, I could tell he was going to do it,” Dauphinee said. “He was a true Canadian hero.”

Once the run is set to go, Rose and Nibby warm up the waiting crowd with their hilarious warmup exercises which include left and right toe taps, bum shakes and all kinds of other fun stretches

Rose does a final check with the official photographer before she gets the run under way

Here, the second wave of the bike riders leave the park, some on bicycles, tricycles, trainers and roller blades

Many signs of encouragement are offered throughout the course, some as motivational signs

and some as welcoming and encouraging students

those that are too young to participate this year, greet us with music and cheers as we go by their front yard, this family has been cheering people on for the last few years as I recall

The challenges and reasons for participation are varied with the many who are here today

The ending feels so good and is so rewarding as the little guys get a special treat from Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

Here, Mr. & Mrs, Claus are being interviewed by Cheryl Hardcastle from one of our local newspapers

and we pose for our traditional picture with the reigning Miss Tecumseh

Participants are treated to drinks, desserts and hot dogs supplied by the local Optimist Club and there are several activities on site to keep the kids busy while everyone cools down