Comprising of a 5km and a 10km category, the Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive running event held to raise funds to support local cancer research.
Runners at the Terry Fox Run 2017.
Named after Canadian hero Terry Fox
The run is named in honour of Canadian hero Terry Fox. A Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist, Fox, who had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer), had embarked on a cross-Canada run in the year 1980 in order to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
The run is named after Canadian hero Terry Fox.
The spread of Fox’s cancer had eventually forced him to abandon his quest and in the end he succumbed to his cancer soon after, but his spirit continues to live on in the Terry Fox Run.
2017 event took place at Angsana Green
The 2017 event took place at Angsana Green, ECP.
The 2017 event took place at Angsana Green, East Coast Park yesterday morning. The location was a change from the previous year’s location at East Coast Park’s Big Splash – which has now been closed down for renovations.
A great way to spend a Sunday morning
It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.
Runners who took part in the Terry Fox Run thought that it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.
Said Scott Little, 39, an educator at the Canadian International School in Singapore, “It was a beautiful morning for a run and a lovely way to start the Sunday with the sun rising over East Coast Park. I really like the fact that this is a run and not a race and the camaraderie amongst the runners to run alongside each other in support of this meaningful cause is amazing.”
They did their part to raise awareness for cancer research.
Scott added, “Cancer affects millions of people around the world and I do hope that through research, we can find a cure for it one day. Thankfully I do not personally know anyone who struggled with cancer, but I recall a young girl who passed away with Hodgkins disease (cancer of the white blood cells) at 12. It still resonates with me today because she had been so young when she died.”
Running for a good cause
Runners liked the fact that the event was held for a meaningful cause.
Agreed Emily Shilton, 19, an IT research assistant at the National University of Singapore, “I like that this run is being held a for a good cause. So this means that you are not simply running for personal gain. You are running because it means something to you. Cancer is quite a personal cause to me, as I have had family members who passed away from cancer. My aunt died of breast cancer a few years ago and that was tough on me.”
45 year old Mark Roberts, who works in finance, is also a regular supporter of the Terry Fox Run as the cause is close to his heart too.
Cancer is close to the hearts of many people.
He said, “I do this run every year since I moved to Singapore about four to five years ago. I always support events that are linked to cancer awareness because I have had family members in the past who suffered from cancer. My mum in law had breast cancer. My grandma passed away from breast cancer and my grandpa died from pancreatic cancer.”
Nice run along the beach
The running route brought runners along the beach.
Continued Mark, “Today’s run was a nice route along the beach. We got a bit of a breeze and there were not many pedestrians. It was a nice, simple and well organised event.”
Casee Ahrens, 34, a personal trainer and boot camp instructor, also shared Mark’s sentiments. She said, “The run was great. The warm up session had been amazing and I loved the scenic route by the beach. It was also great to see so many people coming out to support this cause; it made it feel extra special. This was my first time doing the Terry Fox Run here.”
Bananas after the run.
Cancer cause is close to her heart
She added, “Cancer is a cause that has always been near and dear to my heart. My dad got diagnosed with bladder cancer about four to five years ago. But I am happy that he’s doing well now and that his checks have come back clean.”
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