Lennoxville Terry Fox Run
A community tradition going on 38 years
This is a photo of the 2000 Terry Fox Run in Lennoxville. It was dubbed the ‘miracle on Moulton Hill’.
The first run in Lennoxville was organized in 1980 by Douglas Grant and volunteers from the community and the Lennoxville Runners Association.
After 20 years at the helm, Grant announced that it was time to step down from organizing the event.
In the months leading up to the 2000 Terry Fox Run, the event was in limbo.
Luckily, word got out and the community mobilized quickly.
An ad hoc committee was formed, the bulk of the members from Bishop’s College School; Steve Zatylny, Shelly Bray, Bridget Perry-gore, John Reid, Margaret Royal, Nelson Williams and Monica Schaffer agreed to pool their talents and Keep the Terry Fox run tradition alive in Lennoxville.
From the beginning, the focus remained on community. ''The first thing I want to mention is that this not a BCS event, but rather a community one, and we welcome anyone who wants to get involved as a volunteer or participant,'' said Steve Zatylny, leading up to the September, 2000 run.
A few days later, Record Carrier, Velmore Smith, who had been participating in the event since it started, assumed his familiar post outside the Lennoxville Provigo to collect donations, a sure sign that the Lennoxville edition of the Terry Fox Run was alive and kicking.
That year, the run attracted more that 500 participants and raised over $12,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Velmore Smith set a personal fundraising best that year with over $7,500, making his total fundraising after 20 years well over $70,000.
The longstanding tradition celebrating the courage and determination of Terry Fox and raising money for cancer research continues this Sunday, sept.16 for the 38th year.
According to BCS Athletic Director Jeff Bray, the run will follow the same routine as years past. Registration and donation drop-offs will take place in the BCS gym starting at 9:15 a.m. The 1.5 km family walk/run starting at 10 a.m. followed by the 4km and 8km walk/run.
“We will be using the same route as last year, which was the use of the bike path to Atto Beaver Park and back,” Bray said, hoping for a strong community turnout.
Bray pointed out that the event is for walkers and runners, bicycles are not an option.
There will be a brief ceremony at 10 a.m. before the run kicks off, Bray said.
“We’re just hoping for lots of people, good weather and as many donations as possible.”