Prince Albert man to participate in his 35th Terry Fox Run
Inspired by Terry Fox's perserverance and the passing of his sister-in-law
A Prince Albert man has participated in a Terry Fox Run every year since it first began in 1981.
When teaching in Esterhazy, Sask., Vern Hodgins remembers reading in the newspaper about a young man who dipped his legs in the waters of Newfoundland and was planning on running across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
By the time Fox reached Ontario, the whole school board in Esterhazy was following his progress. Hodgins said they planned on lining the Trans-Canada Highway by Whitewood to cheer Fox on and present him with the money students raised.
Unfortunately, the 22-year-old athlete's Marathon of Hope ended on Sept. 1 near Thunder Bay, Ont.. He never made it to Saskatchewan.
Originally I did it because I just admired what this young man with a physical challenge has done, running a marathon, day after day.- Vern Hodgins
After moving back to Prince Albert, Hodgins participated in the first Terry Fox Run to commemorate Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope.
"There was just this excitement in the air, a buzz," said Hodgins. "Everyone was just caught up in the moment of what he tried to do."
More than 400 people participated in the run near Prince Albert in 1981.
Hodgins has been to a run every year since. This year will be his 35th Terry Fox Run.
"Originally I did it because I just admired what this young man with a physical challenge has done, running a marathon, day after day. It was kind of mind boggling and the courage and perseverance that he showed," said Hodgins.
"Now I do it for reasons that have affected our family with cancer, and trying to raise as much money as I can."
In 2001, Hodgins' sister-in-law passed away from ovarian cancer. Hodgins and his wife raised her 8-year-old son she left behind.
"I've done 26 in Prince Albert and 9 of them in 9 different locations around Saskatchewan," said Hodgins. "In Prince Albert, it's sad to say but the numbers have dwindled considerably," he said.
Hodgins said although participation in the community run has decreased, the National School Run Day has been very successful. This year more than 500 schools across the province are registered to take part.
"As an ex-teacher, I'm happy about that. I'm glad that schools are still carrying it on and teachers are showing the Terry Fox videos and getting his message across and keeping his dream alive," said Hodgins.
Hodgins taught a unit called "What is a Hero?" He gave lessons on Terry Fox and the attributes a hero should have, to not give up, and to have a cause.
Hodgins' goal is to do a Terry Fox Run in another country. Approximately 750 communities across Canada and 16 countries will participate in the 35th annual Terry Fox Run.
"I don't think in my lifetime you'll see ever see the end of the Terry Fox Run," said Hodgins. "That's a dream that's going to go on forever."