A great time to get out for a run, a walk, a bike ride, or just to support those who did as part of the 2025 Terry Fox Run on Sun., Sept. 14 in Morrisburg. Participants in the South Dundas Terry Fox Run took a moment for a group photo before heading out for their run. Tinkess Photo

MORRISBURG – Sun., Sept. 14 was a beautiful fall day, and a great time to get out for a run, a walk, a bike ride, or just to support those who did as part of the 2025 Terry Fox Run.

Terry Fox lost his leg to osteogenic sarcoma at age 18 and underwent 16 months of treatment. The suffering he witnessed in the cancer wards had an impact on him and he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

Fox crossed into Ontario on June 28, but just outside of Thunder Bay on Sept. 1, 1980 he was forced to discontinue his “Marathon of Hope” when Cancer returned, this time to his lungs. He had completed 143 days and 5,373 kilometres of his cross-Canada trek and vowed to return to the run if he could, but unfortunately lost his battle, passing away on June 28, 1981. His will, drive and desire, however, motivated people, and since 1980, more than $950 million has been raised for Cancer research. There are more than 600 Terry Fox Run events held each year across Canada.

Scott Robinson, chair of the South Dundas Terry Fox organizing group, and he spoke to this year’s participants just before sending them off.

“South Dundas has actually been doing this at the Legion in Morrisburg for 32 of the 45 years I’ve had the privilege of being a coordinator,” said Robinson. “For 27 years I helped Ross Hummel, who originally was doing it. I thank everybody, and what I’d like to say is I want everybody just enjoy themselves. It’s never been a race here in Morrisburg. It’s always been come and enjoy yourself, and most of us have, I think, through the years.”

Mayor Jason Broad offered words of thanks to everyone who took the time to be involved. “Thank you for coming out this morning and supporting this cause which touches everybody, every day, right? We all know that,” said Mayor Broad. “I appreciate everybody’s volunteerism, to Scott and Catherine and all the other volunteers throughout the years that made this event happen. And I remember when Terry Fox ran. I was in grade five in public school, and I remember writing about it and how he traveled from Hawkesbury to Ottawa, up along Highway Seven. He never passed through Morrisburg, but he directly touches us every year.

“I did Google it,” added Mayor Broad. “The Terry Fox Run is being held in 60 countries around the world, so it’s not just here in Canada. Terry Fox touched us all. I just wanted to say thank you to for coming out today and making something that’s great as you’re all part of that. You’re the soul of the community, So, thank you very much for coming.”

Robinson had one more thing to do before the run began, and that was to give special thanks to Catherine Lortie, who was touched by Cancer through the death of her son. “She has shown up; she’s the first person to be here. She is the last to leave,” said Robinson. “And when I say, we’ve got to recount the money again, she never complains, so Catherine, for all your years of helping us with Terry Fox, I would like to thank you.”

Lortie was presented with a framed print of a silhouette of Fox highlighted by the headlights of a police vehicle following behind him.

The route for the run this year was changed due to safety concerns. Those walking had the option to follow a route through the waterfront park if they didn’t want to travel along Lakeshore Drive as far as Mariatown and back. Most of the nearly 50 participants chose to stay in the park. A kilometre is a kilometre, regardless of where it’s travelled.

Last year the run broke local records, raising over $18,000 through the run and local school events.