Red Deer really missed gathering together for the Terry Fox Run judging by the amount of money raised for Sunday’s run.
“I haven’t done the full count yet, but it looks like we’re at over $20,000. It’s a record in my time doing the run. I’m really thrilled about that,” said Jennifer Harman, who has helped organize the Red Deer Terry Fox Run for the past seven years.
“I think part of it was people were excited about being back in person. We have a lot of people come every year. It’s definitely a tradition with a lot of families.”
As of noon on Monday, $12,847 had been raised online, but the final online tally won’t be known until November. More than $6,000 was also raised through a recent bottle drive and in-person donations at the run.
Harman said there were some very generous donations, and three participants raised over $2,000 each.
More people are also donating online. Each year the amount has gone up and up, she added.
“It’s really catching on and making a big difference in our donations.”
Related:
Red Deerians will be on the run this weekend
About 220 people participated in Sunday’s one, five and 10K run, including plenty of cyclists, families with strollers and young children, and people with their dogs on leashes.
“We like to think of it as a really inclusive run. Lots of people walked whatever distance they wanted, and we had quite a few do the full 10k run,” Harman said.
“It’s not a race. You do whatever you can, in whatever fashion you want to. Lots of people signed up virtually as well and did the run wherever they were.”
The afternoon run started and ended at Gateway Christian School under sunny skies. The route took them on trails along the south bank of the Red Deer River to Heritage Ranch.
“Lots of people who have lived here a long time have never walked those trails before and they were thrilled about finding a new spot. Everybody was raving about the route.”
Prepacked food was distributed to participants instead of holding a hotdog barbecue to be careful while COVID-19 infections continue.
Related:
This Sunday’s Terry Fox Run in Red Deer to be held virtually
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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