The Terry Fox Run 1

On April 12th, 1980, Terry Fox began one of the most iconic and momentous journeys in Canadian history.  He began the “Marathon of Hope,” cementing his legacy in Canadian history forever, and helping to change the lives of millions of Canadians suffering from cancer every day.  Terry had previously been through chemotherapy, and had lost his right leg to cancer when he was only 18 years old.  From that point on he had a goal firmly in mind: to do whatever he could to support those who experienced similar suffering from this terrible disease. Terry began on the East Coast, setting off across the country with the idea of collecting money from every Canadian he passed. His goal of collecting donations for cancer research inspired so many around him, and his story continues to serve as motivation that the impossible can be done.  As an amputee, Terry incredibly ran almost a marathon every day, for 143 days straight, showing how unbreakable his spirit was.  Although he could not finish his race, the Brentwood community came together to help continue Terry’s goal, and remember the Canadian icon that was Terry Fox. Last Sunday, over 500 Brentonians took part in our school’s annual Terry Fox Run.  By noon, an assemblage of people had massed on the main road behind the large blow-up start line, flooded through the the school’s main gates, and cascaded down Mill Bay Road in a string of humanity.  We were all a part of one of 900 Terry Fox runs that take place in Canada every year, in the hopes that we can also help replicate and assist in Terry’s incredible dream. The run stretched five kilometers through Mill Bay’s charming streets and beautiful coastal scenery.  People ran, walked, and even biked the 5 km stretch.  A little drizzle did nothing to halt the run, as students, teachers, and families alike powered through to the finish line, very appreciative that alternative weather could have called for scolding heat on any other day. There were even halfway water stations and volunteers handing out cookies and chocolate milk at the finish line, helping everyone to do their very best in our own Marathon of Hope.  “It was very heartwarming,” said Henri K, Whittall ‘20 who was helping with finish line assistance, “because everyone has faced this disease in some way, and it’s great to see so many people running for the hope to finally beat it”. It’s fair to say this year’s run was a great success.  All the runners finished with a strong sense of accomplishment, and in doing so, helped continue Terry’s legacy as he would have wanted.  Before his run, Terry had said, “Somewhere, the hurting must stop… and I was determined to take myself to the limit for those causes.”  Brentwood hoped to echo that message with our run, and within us Terry’s spirit and incredible work ethic lives on forever. Jack P, Whittall ‘20