Dear Editor: On Sunday, Sept. 14, I took part in the Terry Fox Run. I am 74 and proud to say this was my 32nd run.
I want to send a big thank you to Anna Solnickova, Terry Fox Run coordinator, and all her volunteers. You all did a wonderful job.
I know all the volunteers arrive very early on Sunday morning and stay as long as it takes until all the runner/walkers cross the finish line.
Seven years ago, my seven-year-old granddaughter lost her dad to cancer, and she decided she wanted to do the 10K run with her aunt. She did the run at Central Park, and although it took her a really long time, when the volunteers knew I was waiting for her to cross the finish line they stopped packing up and waited and cheered her on as she crossed the finish line.
This year my granddaughter, who is now 14, just lost her grandmother to cancer a week before the run. Once again she was determined to run the 10K again and dedicate the run this time to her dad and her grandma. Well, she did the run a lot faster than she did seven years ago, but my daughter, her mother, decided she was going to walk the 10K. Once again, it took a really long time, and as all the volunteers were packing up, knowing that I was waiting for my daughter this time, some of them stayed and along with one of the mascots cheered her on as she crossed the finish line. It was such a touching moment for me.
So again, thank you Anna and thank you volunteers. There is no greater feeling than hearing the cheering as you cross the finish line thinking of Terry Fox and knowing we are all taking part in keeping his dream alive.
Rose MacInnes
Burnaby
