Thornhill gearing up for cancer research run

Terry Fox

TORONTO — The annual Terry Fox Thornhill Community Run is coming up quickly. On Sept. 16, people from all around Thornhill will come together on the track at Thornlea Secondary School to raise money to be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation.

Last year, millions of people in Ontario ran, walked, rode and wheeled together, raising $12 million for cancer research.

This year, organizers are hoping to bring 500 people to the Thornhill run.

“Everybody has been touched by cancer, either in their own families or through someone they know,” said Michelle Kofman, a volunteer in charge of media relations for the Thornhill run’s organizing committee.

Registration forms are available for pickup all over Thornhill, Kofman said. They’re in libraries, grocery stores, schools, community centres – just watch for them, she said.

People can even join in on the day of the run by registering at the start of the route in the back of the school. Additionally, forms will be handed out on Sept. 15 at the Thornhill Village Festival parade, Kofman said.

With no entry free and no minimum donation, anybody can join in. There are three routes: two, five and 10 kilometres.

Kofman said the event is particularly special, not only because of the money it raises for cancer research but also because it is community-driven.

“We take a very grassroots approached to putting the run together,” she said. “It’s a real community event.”

There will be activities for children, as well as a free barbecue with refreshments.

The run begins at 8 a.m., and continues until around 2 p.m. The first run begins at 8:30 a.m. sharp.