Ottawa residents continue Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope on Sunday

The 45th annual Terry Fox Run was held in Ottawa and across Canada on Sunday. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports on the run raising money for cancer research.

The 45th annual Terry Fox Run was held in Ottawa and across Canada on Sunday, with thousands of participants.

The theme for this year’s run was ‘Finish It’ – continuing to be inspired by Fox’s cross-country marathon that he didn’t get to finish.

Terry Fox began the Marathon of Hope in 1980, prior to passing away in 1981. The Terry Fox Run is now an ongoing global fundraiser to support cancer research.

“When he started his run, we have chosen to finish it,” said Thomas Lingard, organizer for the Ottawa Terry Fox Run.

The Ottawa Terry Fox Run was held at Carleton University with participants doing 25 laps around the 400 metre football field, which equals to 10K.

“We tell people, run at your own pace, walk at your own pace, roll at your own pace. Whatever you want to do, whatever you feel comfortable doing. We just appreciate everybody coming out,” Lingard said.

“Terry Fox is a Canadian icon, and we always had our kids doing the Terry Fox Run and now we’re empty nesters and we’ve done the run several times overseas. This is our first time back in Ottawa,” said Lex Burger.

Burger and Nancy Smyth lived in Dublin, Ireland for a short time and started the Terry Fox Run there and now it’s continued for some years.

“I don’t think there’s a family that hasn’t been affected by cancer. The importance of research that this run supports every year. Supporting this Canadian hero, Terry Fox. This year – ‘Finish It,’ is really inspiring,” says Smyth.

Nearly 600 communities held a Terry Fox Run to help raise funds for cancer research.

At an independent retirement living home in Ottawa, a 94-year-old resident Mitch Mitchell participated in his 45th Terry Fox Run.

“I sort of look forward to in more ways than one. It’s very worthwhile,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell, a cancer survivor, has not missed a single walk since it started and has raised nearly $200,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

“You look around in the room and tell me anyone that hasn’t been affected one way or the other with cancer,” says Mitchell.

“We really like helping him with the fundraising and we know it really means a lot to him. It’s nice to see that the spirit of giving him all the donations that come in is great,” said David Mitchell, Mitch Mitchell’s son.

He led 15 residents in a 2KM walk through their neighbourhood.

Mitchell started off running, then walking and is now participating in his wheelchair. However, Mitchell uses his legs to move the wheelchair.

Mitchell says he would still be walking if it wasn’t for his heart surgery he had two years ago that has slowed him down a bit.

“I like how Dad leads by example. I love his tenacity. His drive for doing this. It’s rubbed off on Dave and I for sure. It keeps him going. Dad has purpose. And he’ll. You give him a project, he goes for it. It’s nice to see,” says George Mitchell, Mitch Mitchell’s son.

Mitchell, who has a gym in the community centre nearby that has an exercise room named after him and his late wife, believes it’s important to continue to stay active. He continues to make laps around the front circle of his retirement home daily for about 30 minutes to keep going.

“When you look at people that have been affected by cancer and the people that have been cured or almost cured with the research funds it’s more, more than worth it,” says Mitchell.

Mitch says he’s very proud to support the cause and he loves to get people out and prompting them to participate.

“One of the first times I met Mitch. That was one of the first things he said to me was, ‘You’re going to make a donation this year.’ And we have every year since,” says Heather Mitchell, Mitchell’s daughter-in-law.

“I can look at that myself in the mirror and say I was part of that and my boys were part of that too,” says Mitchell.

Terry Fox raised $24 million during his Marathon of Hope and since his death, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $900 million worldwide.

“We’ve raised over $7.5 million for cancer research. This year, we’re well on our way to reaching our goal. We’ve raised over $175,000 so far,” says Lingard.

The Terry Fox Run continues to unite Canadians and people worldwide in the fight to cure cancer.