Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 14/05) - After 25 years, the dream of one individual has become the dream of millions.

The silver anniversary of the Terry Fox Run will be held in Yellowknife this Sunday, Sept. 18.

Terry Fox set out in 1980 on a solo cross-country run of Canada to help raise money for cancer research.

He died of cancer in 1981, but his dream has grown to include more than 50 nations and raise $360 million.

Last year, about 300 Yellowknife residents laced up their sneakers and raised about $40,000.

Miriam Wideman, an organizer of this year's run, said Yellowknife is one of the top per capita fundraisers.

"And this year, the mayor (Gord Van Tighem) of Yellowknife has challenged the mayor of Edmonton ( Stephen Mandel)," Wideman said.

To commemorate the silver anniversary, Wideman said participants are encouraged to wear Terry Fox T-shirts from previous years' runs.

"It's great to see everybody out there with their kids or their dogs. It's a great event for families," said Glen Burns, a run organizer. Toni Ange, another volunteer, said Terry Fox is a "real hero."

Schoolchildren learn perseverance and not giving up through the annual Terry Fox Run, she said.

"In my family, four generations have already taken part in the run," she said.

Austin Marshall recalled the beginnings of the run here in Yellowknife.

"We'd start off at Mildred Hall, do that long loop and what waited at the end was the hot dog and soft drink. With a sunny day, it made for a nice fall afternoon," Marshall said.

Many people would run with their dogs, adding to the excitement at the beginning of the race, he said.

Marshall was in Canmore, Alberta, for last year's Terry Fox Run and ran there instead of Yellowknife.

Being part of the annual Terry Fox Run is special, Marshall said. "I like the physical fitness side of it, but there is also a reason behind it," Marshall said.

Fox is "the one who got the idea implanted in peoples' minds that anywhere in Canada we can get out and do this kind of thing," he said.

Registration for the run is at noon Sunday at the Yellowknife Arena. The run starts at 1 p.m.

Pledge forms are available either online or through Yellowknife banks.

Wideman said participants can walk, run, bike, rollerblade or bring along the stroller.

"It's a family event and we encourage everyone to do whatever they want to do at their own pace," she said.