Wrexham will be the first Welsh host of a Terry Fox Run later this year, following several years of successful UK events in London in honour of Canadian hero Terry Fox. The organisers of the fundraising event, which exclusively supports The Institute of Cancer Research, London, are delighted to have the backing of the Canadian co-owner of Wrexham AFC, Ryan Reynolds.
No city or town in Wales has ever hosted a Terry Fox Run. On 13 October 2024, Wrexham will be the first. The news follows a successful fundraising event in September 2023 in Wales, dubbed the “Global Cancer Awareness Night”, which introduced the Terry Fox story to the city. The sold-out charity concert by the Declan Swans, graciously hosted by the team at The Turf pub, raised thousands of pounds for The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
Now, Wrexham's Bellevue Park will be home to the latest Terry Fox fundraiser. People can register for free to take part in the family-friendly event and raise money for the ICR's pioneering cancer research. Terry Fox’s older brother, Fred Fox, who serves as Head of Supporter Relations at the Terry Fox Foundation, will be among many special guests in attendance.
Who was Terry Fox?
Terry Fox was a 22-year-old athlete who lost his right leg to a rare bone cancer, osteogenic sarcoma. Running on a prosthetic limb, he made headlines worldwide in 1980 when he ran 3,339 miles over 143 days, an average of a marathon a day, across Canada. He called it his ‘Marathon of Hope.’ Its purpose was to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
Terry had to stop his run when the cancer spread to his lungs, and less than a year later, he died. After he had to stop, his words were, “Even if I don’t make it, we need others to continue.”
He’s now widely considered a Canadian hero and every year since 1981, Terry Fox Run is held in more than 60 cities around the world. To date, more than £500 million has been raised for cancer research through these charity runs.
The UK Terry Fox Association is the UK affiliate of the Canadian cancer research charity, the Terry Fox Foundation. The UK Terry Fox Association is partnered with the ICR – one of the world’s leading cancer research organisations, with an unparalleled record of academic excellence in cancer discoveries for more than 100 years. Partnering with the ICR means all the money raised for the UK charity stays in the UK for cancer research.
The new Terry Fox Run Wrexham joins the family of UK Terry Fox Runs that support the ICR's research – if you can't take part in Wrexham there's also:
- London (15 September 2024)
- Glasgow (29 September 2024)
- Hampshire (Four Seasons Hotel) (29 September 2024)
- Belfast (6 October)
How can I take part in the Wrexham Terry Fox Run?
As with every Terry Fox Run, it is free to enter, open to all abilities, family friendly, and non-competitive. Register online to run, walk, roll or cycle a 2.5k or 5k route around centrally located Bellevue Park, Wrexham.
Terry Fox Run Wrexham
Sunday 13 October 2024
Bellevue Park
1200 Registration opens
1300 Terry Fox Run begins
Entertainment and refreshments will be available, special edition Wrexham shirts launched by Ryan Reynolds will be sold, and a raffle for great prizes will be after the run. All proceeds from the event will go to the ICR.
Every step of the Terry Fox Run helps to defeat cancer
Fred Fox, Terry Fox’s older brother and Head of Supporter Relations at the Terry Fox Foundation, said:
“I am looking forward to meeting everyone inspired by Terry and involved in supporting cancer research in Wrexham. I’m grateful to Run Organizer Neil Johnson, his volunteer committee in Wrexham, and the ICR for coming together to bring the Terry Fox Run to Wales for the very first time. Most of all, I am so thankful for the volunteers and participants that keep Terry’s dream alive around the world.”
Professor Chris Bakal, Professor of Cancer Morphodynamics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, was born in Canada and is an ambassador for The UK Terry Fox Association. Professor Bakal said:
“Following Terry’s journey as I grew up small-town Canada, he inspired me to become a cancer researcher, and his perseverance and dedication drives our work in the lab. Terry also showed me that all of us can do something in the fight against cancer. Every step we make at a Terry Fox Run gets us one little bit closer to beating this disease by supporting cutting-edge cancer research.”
A source of inspiration for so many Canadians
Ryan Reynolds, Canadian actor and Owner and Co-Chairman of Wrexham AFC said:
“As a Canadian, Terry Fox and his legacy have been a source of inspiration in my life for as long as I can remember. Having been a part of the Wrexham community for the last few years, it is truly remarkable to know that these two deeply meaningful parts of my life will soon come together in the first ever Terry Fox Run in Wrexham this upcoming October.”
Michael “Scoot” Hett, lead singer of the Declan Swans and a cancer survivor said:
“I am pleased to support this cause, which is important to me and my family. Terry Fox has an inspirational story that resonates with so many across the world! It was great to see our first fundraiser so well received by locals embracing his story. I am sure the good people of Wrexham will turn out in force to support the Terry Fox Run Wrexham. This is an exceptional cause in honour of a legendary figure of cancer fundraising, Terry Fox.”
The Terry Fox Run Wrexham is free to enter and all fundraising supports our cancer research.