More than 1,000 runners and walkers are expected at this Sunday’s (Sept. 14) Terry Fox Run in Victoria.
The run starts at Mile 0 and the route goes along Dallas Road to St. Charles Street then loops back to Mile 0.
The entire route is five kilometres, though some people choose to do the route twice, said Doug Lamb, organizer of the run. Participants can walk or run the route at their leisure.
Besides the run, the event includes the Terry Fox Great Canadian Hair Do, organized by Linda Johnstone. Every year, 20 to 30 firefighters from Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt and Oak Bay come to have their heads shaved, said Johnstone.
However, going bald is not required. If hair is at least 10 inches long and is untreated, it can be cut off and donated to make wigs for cancer patients. Two seven-year-old girls have already signed up to cut off their hair on Sunday.
“One girl’s grandma has cancer,” said Johnstone, adding the girl wanted to do something to help her grandma. “In two days she raised $500, and the other night she had over $695.”
Another man has been growing his hair for four years to have it shaved in honour of Terry Fox. Pre-registration for the Hair Do event is not required, but those interested can contact Linda Johnstone at 250-477-6545.
Registration starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday and the run starts at 10:30 a.m. Head shaving and hair cutting will take place before and during the run.
There is no registration fee for the Terry Fox Run and no minimum donation. Organizers are still looking for volunteers to be course marshals along the route. Those interested are asked to call Doug Lamb at 250-480-2868 or Graham Lamb at 250-884-2883.
