New organizer steps into leadership role for Guelph's Terry Fox Run

Sunny skies are in the forecast for Sunday and that makes Theresa McGeraglehappy, but she admits she's still nervous about the Terry Fox Run in Guelph, Ont., going smoothly.

McGeragle has participated in the run since 2013, but this is her first year organizing the annual event.

"I want the run to be successful,"she said. "it's important to me."

McGeragle is taking over leadership of the run after long-time organizer David Picardstepped down from the role earlier this year. Picardfirst got involved with the cause back in the late 90's when he was an officer at the former Guelph Correctional Centre.

He said he used to help organize a run for the inmates before the jail shut down in 2000.

"I was organizing that run for about 10 years before that," Picard said. "When the jail closed down, I came over to the city run and I've been involved with the run since then."

Following his 70th birthday last year, Picard said he knew it was time for someone else to take over.

"If you want to see something move on, you've got to pass the torch, or baton or in this case, running shoe," he said.

McGeragleoffered to take over whenconcerns were raised that the runwouldn't continue in the community if no one took the lead.

"I want that tradition to continue. The focus is fulfilling Terry's dream of raising money for cancer research so that we can get to a world where there is no cancer and no suffering or pain," McGeragle said.

"I'm very happy that the weather looks fantastic and I'm just anxious that everything goes off without a hitch and that I haven't forgotten something really, really important."

Marking Fox's Marathon of Hope

Terry Fox runs will take place in over 650 communities across the country this weekend for the 44th edition of the annual tradition.

The Terry Fox runs mark the end of Fox's Marathon of Hope that saw him attempt to run across Canada while raising money for the cause.

At the time, Fox was battling osteogenic sarcoma, a cancer that led to the amputation of his leg above the knee.

Sunday's run in Guelph begins at Silvercreek Park at 8 a.m.

"People can walk, run or cycle. The site is accessible for wheelchairs and leashed pets are more than welcome as well," McGeraglesaid.

Participants are encouraged to register beforehand online but are welcome to show up and register on-site.

Picard says over the years, he's seen many people travel to Guelph for its beautiful route.

"A lot of people like the safety of the site as well because it doesn't involve any major roads. It's a pastoral site with trees and everything," Picard said.

Local runs this Sunday

Here are the local Terry Fox Runs happening Sunday:

• Ayr: Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Ayr Curling Club and the run will begin at 9 a.m.
• Cambridge: Registration beings at 11 a.m. in Riverside Park. Opening ceremonies are at 11:45 a.m. and the run will go from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Guelph: People can gather at Silvercreek Park, southeast corner ofEdinburgh Rd. S. and Wellington St. W., for the run which will go from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Organizers note there is limited parking on site.
• Kitchener: Participants are asked to meet at the clock tower in Victoria Park at 11 a.m. for registration, run begins at 12 p.m. and the route will go through downtown Kitchener.
• Waterloo: Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. in Waterloo Park at Central Street and Albert Street. Opening ceremonies will be at 9:45 a.m. and the run will go from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wilmot: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Wilmot Rec Complex. The run will go from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.