Community spirit shines at 2025 Terry Fox Run

Brandon residents laced up their running shoes on Sunday morning as Brandon University hosted the 2025 Terry Fox Run.

The run, which started from the university’s library, united the community in memory of the Canadian hero whose Marathon of Hope continues to inspire 45 years later.

This year’s run drew close to 200 participants, a sharp increase from the 42 people who turned out a decade ago, organizer Heather Stewart told the Sun on Sunday.

“The growth has been matched by donations: from just over $2,000 in 2015 to more than $15,000 raised as of Saturday evening,” she said.

She said the final numbers will climb higher once Sunday’s contributions are tallied.

“This means that we care and that we come together as a community to support something important to all of us,” Stewart said. “We’re not just doing it for ourselves, but for other people as well.”

The participants started the run from the courtyard in front of the university’s library, choosing from one kilometre, two kilometres, five kilometres or 10 kilometres and headed along Louise Avenue to the old Fleming School at 23rd Street and back to Louise. “That out-and-back route covers one kilometre. Participants looking for a longer option can continue to 26th Street before returning, for a total of two kilometres,” Stewart added.

For those aiming for a full route, the course extends from Louise and 26th Street up to Victoria Avenue, west to 34th Street, south to Pacific Avenue, then east back to 26th Street, north to Louise Avenue, and finally returning to the starting point at the university. The loop is five kilometres, and completing it twice made the 10-kilometre route.

Along the way, volunteers and sponsors cheered participants on, with local businesses donating prizes, refreshments and supplies. Even furry friends were welcomed, with dog treats placed at stations along the course.

Among the crowd was Tom Price, who ran in the very first Terry Fox Run held in Brandon more than four decades ago while playing for the Brandon University Bobcats. Price said he still remembers the early days, when few understood the scope of Fox’s mission.

“It’s an honour, total honour, because it epitomizes everything a Canadian should be — selfless, dedicated, committed,” Price told the Sun. “It’s amazing how much this has blossomed.” This year, Price contributed by donating smoothies for participants.

The morning also featured a moving testimony from 20-year-old Makayla Van Damme, a young woman who lost her leg to a tumour nearly two years ago. She said Fox’s story gave her strength through her own recovery, and taking part in Sunday’s run was a personal milestone.

“Oh, it was a huge honour,” Van Damme told the Sun after her run on Sunday. “This time last year, I didn’t have a leg. I was in a wheelchair. So to be able to come here and do it this year is cool.”

Van Damme completed the two-kilometre route and said it was tougher than she expected.

“I can’t believe I said Terry Fox just made it look easy — doing a marathon a day,” she laughed. “I got tired at two kilometres. But hopefully next year when I come back, I’ll do five. I’ve just got to start training now.”

She added, while her own tumour was not cancerous, she knows many people who are battling the disease, making the run deeply meaningful. “Everyone here is here for someone else, to raise money and awareness. That’s a very important thing to be part of,” she said.

Before runners set off, the BU Bobcats women’s volleyball team led participants in a warm-up, adding energy and excitement to the day.

Stewart closed her address by thanking volunteers, sponsors, and participants, emphasizing that each person who took part was helping Terry Fox finish what he started in 1980.

“Terry was about uniting Canada,” she said. “And today, looking around, I can say he still is.”

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