Terry Fox Run brings 10,000 people to the Confederation Bridge

More than 10,000 people walked, ran, and wheeled across the Confederation Bridge on Sunday for the 45th annual Terry Fox Run.

Donations for the run are still being counted and accepted, but the most recent tally shows more than $800,000 has been raised by the event for cancer research.

Fred Fox, the brother of Terry Fox, was thrilled to see the number of registered participants grow in the days leading up.

“People are coming out, not only to be on the bridge, but of course they want to make a difference in cancer research,” said Fox, after finishing the crossing.

The last Terry Fox Run on the Confederation Bridge was held in 2015. An event was initially scheduled for 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Fred Fox says the plan is for the bridge run, which was first held in 2005, to return to a five-year schedule.

“How many people will come out for the 50th anniversary in 2030?” mused Fox.

Michelle Hughes, a cancer survivor who lives on Prince Edward Island, said it was inspiring to see the number of people who raised money and took part.

“It’s an honour to be able to move my body, show up here today, and just meet my body where it’s at and walk across this Confederation Bridge,” she said.

The 12.9-kilometre bridge was closed to vehicle traffic at 6 a.m. on Sunday. The event itself was delayed by 30 minutes with organizers pointing to “overwhelming participation and increased traffic volume.”

The Confederation Bridge reopened to traffic at 1 p.m.