Terry Fox Run at risk of being cancelled

2019 will mark 40 years since Terry Fox used Prince George as a training ground for a potential marathon across Canada.

Terry took part in the Prince George to Boston Marathon back in 1979, however, the 39th Terry Fox Run is in jeopardy of not even being held this year in the Northern Capital.

Earlier this year, Scott McWalter stepped down as the lead organizer for the event after serving the past five years in the position.

The hope was to quickly find a successor shortly after the announcement was made, yet the position remains vacant.

“We were hoping that we would be able to secure my successor then (when Scott stepped down),” McWalter told MyPGNow. “But we haven’t had anyone from the community step forward to put their name down as the new lead organizer. We’re hoping that within the next week, maybe two weeks tops, we can find that person. If not, the Terry Fox Run is in serious jeopardy of being canceled this year.”

Despite stepping down, McWalter still hopes to see the success of the event and aims to ease the transition for whoever takes on the duties of putting on the event.

“Essentially, I have two goals. One is to find the new lead organizer for the Terry Fox Run, and two is to make sure the 2019 Terry Fox Run is an absolute success,” said McWalter.

In his opinion, the run not happening this year would be a big blow to the Northern Capital.

“Worst case scenario of this event not taking place would be extremely horrific for the City of Prince George. It’s the 39th Terry Fox Run this year, but its the 40th anniversary since 1979 when Terry Fox came to Prince George and participated in the Prince George to Boston Marathon, which gave him the confidence to go through with the Marathon of Hope the following year. There’s that significant tie-in to Terry Fox and his legacy as a Canadian hero in Prince George.”

The Terry Fox Run is put on the third Sunday of September, which — in the event it goes this year — would be scheduled for September 15.