Liberty Village Terry Fox Run/Walk, Liberty Village Park, Toronto, ON

I participated in the fourth annual Terry Fox Run/Walk this morning in the Liberty Village run/walk (it's close to my 'hood).  I'd done it the last two and this year and last year I was also a volunteer doing the social media).

Terry Fox (1958 – 1981) was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist.  In 1980, he began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research.  He hoped to raise one dollar from each of Canada's 24 million people.  He began in St. John's, Newfoundland, in April and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day. After 143 days and 5,373km/3,339 miles, he was forced to end his run outside Thunder Bay, ON, when the cancer spread to his lungs. His hopes of overcoming the disease and completing his marathon ended when he died nine months later.
The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.  Almost $800 million has been raised in his name.

Before registration opened at 9am, there was lots to do.  Some volunteers attached pins to the ribbons participants would receive when they finished the run/walk.

That's Gord in the red shirt ... red shirts signify cancer survivors

 We had great support for our lunch, gift bags and raffle.

Katie, a volunteer, was interviewed for a student paper.

We had coffee for all before the run/walk.

Jason got some of our volunteers organized.

At 9am, registration was open.

There were activities for kids like chalk, bubbles,
face painting, colouring, etc.

Furry friends were welcome

There was a dedication sign

Shumaila, a volunteer, led yoga

Jefferson, the mascot for the Toronto Wolfpack,
was in support of the Terry Fox Run/Walk

Who knew a big furry mascot could do yoga?

Everyone loves Jefferson!

Apparently Jefferson loves to colour!

Comedian Steve Dylan

Jefferson signed the dedication sign

There's Joy, one of our volunteers, on the left of Jefferseon

Kids loved climbing in the Toronto Fire Services' truck

This dog started rolling in the grass

Jefferson tried it too

The dog didn't know what to make of Jefferson, though

Hoooowling!

Audrey and Amy, Wolfpack employees, with Jefferson

Sarah, a volunteer, with Jefferson

Jefferson and Gord

Me, Jefferson and Gord

Dawn, a volunteer (and my neighbour), and Jefferson

Jason, a volunteer, Jefferson and Angelo

Joy and Jefferon

Amy, Jon and Audrey, Wolfpack employees, with Jefferson

Ruby Carr, morning host on 102.1 The Edge,
was our emcee

Katie, one of volunteers, has had cancer and is
now battling two cancers ... she told her story

We sang Oh Canada

It was run/walk time!

And they're off!

These wee ones were unsure about Jefferson

Amy and Audrey of the Wolfpack
signed the dedication sign

A Toronto police officer arrived

The officer high-fived Jefferson

Alas, no high-five from the horse

Some of our volunteers with Jefferson ...
Dawn, Nicole, Aggie, Jefferson, Lisa, Gord and me

Jefferson and Aggie

Volunteers waiting to welcome the runners/walkers back

The first runners back ... they'd done the 3km

Alas, it started pouring.  Many of the runners/walkers came back, though, and had a light lunch.

Escape Pod, members of The Starship Experience,
entertained ... they were good!

Lunch

Gord and Dawn

Dale, a volunteer

Ruby thanked everyone for coming

And that's it for the 2019 Liberty Village Terry Fox Run/Walk!