Terry Fox Run draws thousands to Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Sunday

The rain didn't stop thousands of people from taking part in the 36th annual Terry Fox Run in Winnipeg Sunday.

The run brought about 2,000 people to Assiniboine Park Sunday morning, said co-organizer James Folette.

"It was an awesome turnout," he said. "We had people from all parts of the city and even outside the city area."

Before he started helping organize the event four years ago, just hundreds had been taking part yearly. He said it's been growing and more people have been taking part ever since.

"People really band together for things like this."

Folette said he was taking part today for his father and his sister-in-law, who were both diagnosed with cancer about two weeks apart about a year and a half ago. His sister-in-law is now cancer free but his father is still battling it.

"It's not just to support my father, but to support everybodywho is afflicted by this disease," Folette said. "It's fantastic to see everyone there and their stories about their loved ones."

Sunday's run brought the mayor and members of city council out, the Winnipeg Police Service and the Fire Paramedic Service, among other groups and individuals.

There is no word yet on how much money the run raised this year.