The Terry Fox Run at Churchill

Each year at the end of September, Churchill Alternative participates in the Terry Fox Run.

As a young man, Terry Fox was diagnosed with a malignant tumor that led to the loss of his leg.  Terry began running two years after his operation, with the goal to raise $1 million for Cancer Research.  Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope on April 1st, 1980 running close to the equivalent of one marathon a day for 143 days, covering an impressive distance of 3,339 miles.  Terry Fox was only able to complete 2/3 of his run, but in that time, he inspired a nation, and raised $23.4 million.  Terry Fox died on June 21st, 1981, but his legacy lives on, and schools across Canada hold yearly runs that continue to raise money for cancer research, and more importantly, that instill the belief in students that their actions can make a difference, and that the impossible is possible.

No matter the weather, Churchill students and their families get out and participate in the Terry Fox Run each year.  The students walk as a group from the school to Dovercourt Recreation Centre. Before the run began, Alena usually leads everyone through a series of stretches.  The student are then grouped into their tree families and two runners from each tree family run a lap at a time, around a course that circled the Dovercourt field. Parents and staff also get in on the running!

In 2023, our school of just under 200 students raised over $3000 the Terry Fox Foundation!  2023 was also our 20th year of participating in the Terry Fox Run and to date, our school has raised $46,594.62!!!! With the participation of schools like Churchill, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $850 million in Terry’s name for cancer research.

Published: Updated 2023

Tags: Family & community-centered school environment, Multi-aged groupings, Outdoor learning and play, social responsibility