More than 30 years after Terry Fox was forced to end his Marathon of Hope, his story still reverberates.
Just ask Van Scoffield, organizer of this year’s Terry Fox Run in South Surrey.
Scoffield, a member of the Rotary Club of White Rock, attended a spring conference aimed at firing up run organizers. He goes every year, and every year, someone who knew Fox – a friend, family member, coach or otherwise – speaks of the quest Fox set out on so many years ago.
The story’s been told countless times, but the reaction is always the same, Scoffield said.
“It chokes the whole room up to hear that story again,” he said.
Locally, this year’s Terry Fox Run will pace off from – and return to – the Rotary Field House in South Surrey Athletic Park (2197 148 St.) Sunday (Sept. 18).
Scoffield said two routes are available for anyone wanting to walk, run, bike or stroll for the cause. All funds raised will benefit the Terry Fox Foundation.
Typically, the South Surrey event generates around $10,000 and Scoffield is hopeful this year will be no different – despite the City of Surrey ordering him to remove most of the signage advertising the run.
To counter the setback, Scoffield said he has emailed the details to previous participants and hopes the few signs and banner set up at the athletic park will be enough to draw people out.
Registration gets underway at 8 a.m. The run begins at 9 a.m.
• other Surrey runs taking place Sunday leave from Cloverdale Legion (17567 57 Ave., registration at 9 a.m.) and the Surrey Arts Centre (88 Avenue at King George Boulevard, registration at 8 a.m.).