TAB's Marathon of Hope

Written by: Zeineb Kouki

Editor: Ava Puhlmann

Photos: McKayla Miller

Contributor: McKayla Miller 

On Friday, September 27, Blakelock celebrated the legacy of Terry Fox, an adored Canadian athlete and hero. The event was organised by the Grade 12 Leadership class in partnership with the athletic council.

Terry Fox was a young cancer patient who ran The Marathon of Hope, a cross country marathon intended to raise money for cancer research. Terry was inspired to run across Canada after his cancer diagnosis and the amputation of his right leg in 1977. The Marathon of Hope was cut short when Terry passed away from his cancer. The legacy has continued, raising over $800 million dollars in the last 43 years. 

Blakelock started the event in the morning by hosting an assembly in the large gym. The assembly detailed the cause, Terry Fox’s history, and explained the routes. Students had the option of completing a 5km run, or walking for 3km. 

After the assembly, the walk began. There were student and staff volunteers decked out in Blakelock colours from athletic council that directed walkers and runners on the route. 

“I think supporting people on the walk and cheering them [on] was personally my favourite part of the Terry Fox Walk”, said Sydney Johnson, a grade 11 student marshal. 

Students wore stickers saying who they were walking or running for. Some were running for Terry, some for family members or friends impacted by cancer. At the end, students had the opportunity to line up at the food trucks supplying sandwiches, ice cream and club sandwiches in the back parking lot. 

Students also shared what organising, participating and volunteering in the Terry Fox Run meant to them

“It was good to feel like a part of the community [and] making a difference because we know that Terry Fox obviously did a lot for our country. It's good to give back, even if it is a few hours of our day cheering people on and being enthusiastic. Yeah we had loads of fun, it was great”, added another grade 11 student, Emma Kellerman.

Overall, the whole event was successful. We thank all the students and staff for their hard work and efforts. Go Tigers!!!