Yellowknife (Sep 20/06) - Terry Fox may never have walked through the Northwest Territories, but hundreds of people in Yellowknife were walking in his honour Sunday.

Some 426 participants raised $37,699 for cancer research during the annual charity run named after the national icon. People had many reasons for taking part in the event.

Amelie Schwarz, left, and Ella Kokelj warm-up before going out on the Terry Fox Run with their parents Sunday. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

Cathrine Hritzuk's life was touched by cancer when her father died from the disease. "You always think that they'll find a cure," she said.

Hritzuk has been participating in the Terry Fox Run from the start. "We followed the Terry Fox story right from the very beginning when he started running."

"I'm thinking of all the people who have passed away in my family (from cancer). I have a special thought for them," said Nicky Dupuis, another walker.

Yolande Lawson's life was also tragically touched by the disease. "Both my husband and I have lost a parent to cancer."

Their parents died in the last five years and the couple started participating in the run not long after.

"We keep in mind our family members, and just how much they benefitted from the cancer research in their lives."

Sean Levenson, a teacher at Range Lake North school, said he was there partially because his school was taking part. But he was also there to embrace the spirit of the run.

"I'm here for hope, because it's a run about hope. It's about community."

Levenson was proud of his students, who raised $500.

Some people weren't walking or running on the course, which began at the Yellowknife Community Arena and weaved through downtown. Christopher Moore and his younger brother Mackinley were riding their unicycles.

"I'm probably going to do five, or maybe 10 kilometres," Christopher said.

He and his brother have only been riding their unicycles for six months, but they were willing to give the course a try on Sunday.

"Our coach talked about it, and we knew it was for a good cause."

One of the larger contributors to the walk were the Joint Task Force North and 440 Squadron, divisions of the Canadian military. With 110 members they managed to raise $2300.

"It's just an important initiative, and we wanted to enter a whole team for the military, " said Capt. Joanne Labede.

Participants could choose to walk or run either a five or 10 kilometre circuit.