The Kuala Lumpur Terry Fox Run

Someone gave me this postcard sized brochure, and the image struck me. You’d have to have heart of stone to not feel the Perseverance and Hope in the image. Back in 1981, Terry Fox ran the Marathon of Hope, a solitary run across Canada with a right leg prosthetic. A symbolic defiance against physical limitations and obstacles, all in the name of cancer research fund raising.

The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held in numerous regions across the globe in commemoration of cancer activist Terry Fox, and his Marathon of Hope, and to raise money for cancer research.

The event is held every year on the second Sunday following Labour Day. Since its inception in 1981, it has raised via the 'Terry Fox Foundation' over $340 million dollars (CAD). The run itself is informal which means that the distance often varies, usually between 5 and 15 kilometres; participation is considered to be more important than completing the set distance.

Unlike other major fund raising events, the Terry Fox Run has no corporate sponsorship. This is in accordance with Terry Fox's original wishes of not seeking fame or fortune from his endeavour. During his cross-Canada run, he turned down every endorsement he was offered (including from major multinationals such as McDonald's), as he felt that it would detract from his goal of creating public awareness. The current Terry Fox Runs have no advertisements on any race related materials (such as t-shirts, banners, etc).

So guys, what do you say we go and help spread the word? Better still, why don’t we participate in the KL Terry Fox Run?