Marathon, Terry Fox run combine forces

Organizers have confirmed the Thunder Bay Miles With the Giant marathon will make a second appearance along the Thunder Bay shoreline.

Race officials on Friday said the Sept. 18 event will be held in conjunction with the annual Terry Fox Run, with the distance runners hitting the streets in the morning and the fun-runners starting at 2 p.m.

Controversy arose last fall when marathon organizers did not realize the Terry Fox run had switched weekends, leading to complaints that the inaugural race was impeding the ability to raise funds to fight cancer.

However, Don Morrison, chairman of the Terry Fox run said his event holds a special place in the hearts of Thunder Bay’s growing running community and by combining forces both events will become that much stronger.

“I believe that a full day of running activities is a special and fitting way to honour the memory of Terry Fox. Our 2010 run had more than 600 participants and raised $20,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. We are very excited to be working together with the organizers of the Miles With the Giant to make this year’s event even better,” Morrison said in a joint press release issued by the two organizations.

Miles with the Giant president Barry Streib said sharing resources will make Sept. 18 a special one in Thunder Bay.

He added he’s looking forward to bigger and better numbers than 2010.
“Our Miles with the Giant 2010 event brought together 846 participants from over 75 communities across Canada, the U.S., Kenya and Sweden and we hope to grow that number to over 1,000 this year.”

Registration for the marathon will open on March 1.