Terry Fox Run about awareness
Organizers still seek volunteers for long-running event
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, September 15, 2016
INUVIK
Thirty-six years running, Inuvik's Terry Fox Run is more about raising awareness than raising money, say organizers.
Patricia Davidson and Natasha Kulikowski are organizing this year's Terry Fox Run, set to take place Sept. 18. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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"It's mostly about awareness, and if we raise some money, then that's excellent," said Patricia Davidson, one of the organizers along with Natasha Kulikowski.
The event averages about 50 people per year participating, she said.
"I really respect the Terry Fox Foundation," said Davidson. "I think they're one of the organizations that do fundraising and allocate the monies that they raise toward their cause in a really good way. I think all of us have been touched by cancer in some way or another and this is a great way to bring awareness, but also to raise some funds for a really important cause."
Kulikowski said she's got the program pretty down pat at this point, and the Terry Fox Foundation keeps a running checklist of everything that needs to get done before the event.
"At this point it's almost formulaic and we're ready to go when the day comes," said Kulikowski, who became involved with the run in 2009.
"We've both been touched by dozens and dozens of people who've passed, who've survived, who are suffering right now or fighting right now, so it's really important to both of us in our own hearts that the run continues, the funds continue to be raised and put toward the research that makes a difference."
As of press time, the pair were still looking for volunteers to help with registration, water stations and the barbecue.
Registration will take place at the front entrance of the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre at 12 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, with the actual run beginning at 1 p.m.
Entrants will be able to choose three distances to run: 2.5 km on Golf Course Road, 5 km on Carn Road or 10 km to Jak Park. Running, walking or biking are all fine and there is no registration fee.
Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact Kulikowski on Facebook.
