With the COVID-19 pandemic still sweeping through British Columbia, the annual Terry Fox Run will once again look different from its traditional form.

As was the case in Sept. 2020, the massive nation-wide event will be held in a ‘virtual’ manner in many areas of the province, including Merritt, with organizers asking participants to run their own routes with only their close social circles.

“As much as I had hoped that 2021 would allow a full return to the Terry Fox Run as we know it,  we are still in the midst of a pandemic that is shifting and evolving in unexpected ways,” said Merritt organizer Leslee Lucy.

The Run, set for Sept. 19, will be identical to the rules and regulations placed in 2020. 

Despite the unprecedented changes to the Run’s format in its 40th year, it was still a great success – 700 communities and 8,265 schools engaged in fundraising.

In Merritt, there was a whopping 23.15% increase in funds raised over the 2019 Run. According to the 2020 Terry Fox Revenue Report, Merritt’s community run brought in $2,075 in 2020, while the school event brought in $1,347, for a grand total of $3,422.

Lucy hopes to see the same success with this year’s Run as last year’s.

“Cancer isn’t waiting for COVID to end, so we need to, more than ever help with the fundraising to give cancer the boot!”

All runs are noncompetitive, all inclusive, family-oriented activities where participants can run, walk, blade or bike.

Lucy and her team encourage participants to choose their own unique route on Sept. 19, whether it is in your neighbourhood, down the street, or even in your backyard.

“We will come together in spirit, if not in person.”

The Terry Fox School Run will commence on Sept. 29.

For those looking to donate, donations can be made by texting ‘terry fox’ to 45678, through the Terry Fox app, the Terry Fox website, pledge sheets, or by purchasing Terry Fox shirts.

All proceeds for the annual Runs go to funding innovative cancer research, including a bold new project titled the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, a collaboration between Canada’s best cancer researchers.

Visit terryfox.org/run to learn more, sponsor a participant, or register to fundraise.