Nearly forty years ago, the Canadian hero, Terry Fox, took on a revolutionary journey that would bring newfound hope to millions of Canadians, one step at a time. Starting in St. John’s Newfoundland, Terry ran for a total of 5373 kilometers in support of cancer research, touching the hearts of individuals all across the nation. Now, flash forward to the year of 2019, where the rumble of cheers and footsteps heralds the arrival of St. Augustine’s annual Terry Fox run–our own Marathon of Hope within the confines of Markham.
On the morning of September 26th, St. Augustine’s halls were filled with the vivid red and white colours worn by marathon runners in support of the Terry Fox foundation. Prepared to take on this daunting five-kilometer challenge, these runners set off at 8:20 a.m., traveling on their own “coast-to-coast” journeys as they ran along the major roads of Markham. Along the way, runners and walkers were supported by the enthusiastic cheers of around sixty-eight student volunteers, all of whom worked together to run twenty one “pit-stop” stations. Here, each station represented a different Canadian location found along Terry’s own journey, starting with a station for St. Johns, Newfoundland, and ending at the school’s own “Thunder Bay, Ontario.”
Evidently, through the efforts of passionate individuals nation-wide, Terry’s Marathon of Hope continues to remain a source of inspiration for young people today…including the students of St. Augustine. Having raised a total of $9205.45 in support of the Terry Fox Foundation, the school’s student body has truly succeeded in embodying the determination and selflessness that Terry has come to represent.
A special thanks to the Athletic council for hosting another successful Terry Fox run, and to all of the student volunteers for making this experience so special.
By: Zinnia Chung
Titan Times 