Terry Fox Run set for Aurora Arboretum on September 20

September 10, 2026 · 0 Comments

Lace up your running shoes and spend the morning in one of Aurora’s most scenic greenspaces on Sunday, September 20, as the community comes together for the annual Terry Fox Run.

The event will take place in the Aurora Community Arboretum, beginning with opening ceremonies just behind the Aurora Seniors’ Centre at 9.30 a.m. It will include the run itself, along with a two-kilometre story walk where youngsters and their parents and guardians will have the chance to learn more about Terry Fox, his Marathon of Hope, and how his legacy is furthered each year by the Terry Fox Foundation – and by everyone who takes part in the Run.

Last year’s event saw huge turnout and organizers are hoping to keep the momentum going.

“Making connections last year was a great start,” says event chair Seana O’Bireck, who took on organizational duties ahead of last year’s run in honour of her father, John, who sadly lost his own battle with cancer. “Last year we had a great success in we were aiming for around 100 people, but we actually had about 200 participants and raised over $21,000. It was a great turnout, a great success, and that gives you the confidence to keep going for the next year.”

This year marks the 46^th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope and, each fall, communities across the country further Fox’s legacy by hosting walks of their own, all with a goal of raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation, which supports cancer research.

“The Terry Fox Foundation honours the vision and spirit of an iconic Canadian while raising critical funds for cancer research,” says the Foundation. “As a leading national charitable organization, the Terry Fox Foundation plays a vital role in building community, engaging more than 20,000 passionate volunteers, and 3.5 million students in nearly 10,000 annual fundraising events across the country.

“People around the world, of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities have been inspired by Terry’s enduring legacy. Through the generous support of our donors, partners, and volunteers, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $1 billion for cancer research, bringing hope and health to millions of Canadians.”

The enduring inspiration Fox continues to inspire in younger generations is not lost on O’Bireck, a pre-school teacher.

While the five-kilometre route is at the heart of the Run, she says she’s especially focused on making this year’s story walk a success.

“Being a pre-school teacher, I feel it is important to include the kids so they can have a learning base as well,” she says. “The two-kilometre story walk follows the T is for Terry book by Denise Dias, and it’s an alphabetical walk which follows the letters to help guide kids through the loop. We did a mini-Terry Fox Run with my school this year on August 20 and we’re teaching that it’s important to have a goal and that you are capable of doing anything you set your mind on. That’s what Terry did and his goal has continued way past what he ever expected.”

For first time participants in last year’s run through the Arboretum, another unexpected element was the setting itself.

“A lot of them were just surprised that they had never been through the Aurora Community Arboretum and this space exists in the middle of Aurora,” says O’Bireck. “It’s a good cause; in just a small amount of time you can do a nice walk through the Arboretum, and it’s nice family time as well. There’s no stress, there’s no competition – just come out and enjoy, and then you’re done early by 12 noon!”

In the final days leading up to the Run, the organizing team is hard at work to make sure all the details in place. They are also looking to secure further sponsorships to ensure they can maximize what they raise for the Foundation.

“We’ve been looking for 46 local businesses to sponsor us for $46, and that’s a helpful thing,” she says. “One of the big sponsors this year Canada-wide for the Terry Fox Foundation has been Harvey’s and we’re trying to work with them as well. Yours Conveniently has agreed to do some refreshments again – and now the final push is on to get others involved!”

For more information on this year’s Terry Fox Run in Aurora and how to become involved, email auroraterryfoxrun@outlook.com.

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter