Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 19, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A little over 400 people turned out to help raise money for cancer research Sunday.

The 27th annual Terry Fox run started at the Yellowknife community arena and a total of $29,000 was raised.

"We had a good run, the weather turned out well, that always makes a big difference," said Austin Marshall, chair of the Terry Fox Run committee for Yellowknife.

"We had a good crowd, a good number of participants came out."

This year's turn out was a little smaller than last year, although Yellowknifers of all ages again took part by walking, running or riding a bike.

Judy Sharp, a cancer survivor, spoke to the crowd about her struggle.

Foxy the Arctic Winter Games mascot made an appearance and the crowd was led in a group stretch before the running began.

Nine hundred communities across Canada take part in the run every year. Organizers give people the option of running 1km, 3km, 5km or 10km.

Participant Lorraine Sawdon took part in the 10km run, her first in Yellowknife, although she has been taking part in the Terry Fox Run for many years.

"It was a beautiful day here, you couldn't have asked for a better day to run," said Sawdon.

"Anything we can do to raise money to fund research or support the people who are going through it or the families is definitely worth it."

Sean Ivans participated in the 5km run with his two children. Ivans participated as a member of the Rotary Club team, which raised about $1000 for the event.

"It went really well, it was well organized and a lot of participants were out," said Ivans. "I think we all have a responsibility to do our part. Whether it's with the Terry Fox run or any other sort of organization, whether it's raising money for cancer or doing our part for people that need help in our community or in our country or even around the world."

Mayor Gordon Van Tighem also came out for the event and took part in the shorter distance run. He said the run was a success and the turn out was impressive.

"Yellowknife always has a very high participation for the size of the community and the amount that we raise, and I think we've kept up with that," said Van Tighem.