Runners are under way at the return of the Terry Fox Run to Harrison Park Sunday.

Owen Sound's Terry Fox Run took off this morning from Harrison Park, beating its own fundraising goal by 50 per cent.

More than 180 runners, walkers and stroller passengers raised $22,500 as of Sunday morning's 10:00 a.m. start, said organizer Adrienne Robinson welcoming back participants in person after the two-year Covid break. Organizers set this year's goal as $15,000; the annual run has raised $400,000 locally.

Kate Robinson starts the run. Nearly 200 participants took part in the 5 kilometre event.

The run, now in its 42nd year, is personal for Adrienne Robinson. She's part of a group of volunteers, and has helped organize the Owen Sound Terry Fox Run since 2020.

She's 23 years in remission from the bone cancer that threatened her life, the same osteogenic sarcoma that Terry Fox was diagnosed with at age 18.

"I got to keep my leg," said Robinson. "I got to keep my life."

"I wouldn't be here without all of you," she said as she welcomed back participants in an address at the bandshell start line. Robinson was 9 when she was diagnosed, and credits her survival to research enabled by the Terry Fox Foundation funded in part by the annual Canada-wide community runs.

Paula Walpole, centre, speaks with daughters Adrienne Robinson, left, and Kate Robinson, as run start approaches.

Runners warm up as the rain holds off.

Smiles and good cheer light up the start of the 2022 Owen Sound Terry Fox Run.

source: staff