by Lorraine Payette, written September 11, 2013
(LANSDOWNE, ON) – Put on your cross trainers and get ready to go! Lansdowne is gearing up to head into its fifth annual Terry Fox Run at the Landon Bay Centre on the Thousand Islands Parkway on Sunday, September 15. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. followed by a memory balloon release and start of the run itself at 9:00 a.m.
Started by Lisa-Marie Gow in 2009, the Lansdowne run is a great way to get out and get involved.
“I am pumped every year for the Run,” says Gow. “This will actually be my 33rd Run as I have had the privilege of being able to do all of the other 32 runs, and this year being my 33rd.”
Originally from Ottawa, Gow was delighted to hear that there was a Terry Fox run each year in Gananoque. One of her favourite activities, she couldn’t wait to get out and participate.
“I met Bunny Randall from Gananoque and when she heard that I had never missed a Run, she contacted the local paper to do a story on me,” says Gow. “She then invited me to join their committee and I was hooked to the organizing part of it.”
After watching all of the videos of Terry Fox running through beautiful Canadian landscape, she dreamed of holding a run along the Thousand Islands Parkway. Randall, however, wanted to continue doing the run inside the town of Gananoque.
Knowing that there could never be too much participation, and realizing that a scenic country route would be a nice alternative for some to running along the streets of a town, Gow approached the Terry Fox Foundation and asked for their permission to start a new site at Landon Bay on the 1000 Islands Parkway. This meant a whole new committee with new ideas and recruiting new people to make it all happen.
“It was a dream come true when I went to John McLeod from Landon Bay Centre and discussed my idea, and for him to not even hesitate with an invitation to hold it every year until my last breath there at his beautiful site,” says Gow.
“This year we will be having a head-shave participant named Pat Beaubien.”
Tina from Strands of Time will be volunteering her services at 8 a.m. for those who wish to participate. Entertainment will be provided by Dan Stoness (as Elvis), and there will be complimentary massages by Carla Martel from Absolutely Hair and Spa and Facepainting by Heather Summers. A free BBQ, Prize giveaways, and a celebration cake are all available for participants.
“Our Terry’s Team Member (Cancer Survivor) for this year is Mr. Jeremy Brown,” says Gow.
“We hope everyone will take the time to come and celebrate with us as it truly is a celebration with all the huge discoveries that have been found recently. We are very pleased with the support we have received for such a new Terry Fox Run site.
“Participants can download a pledge form off of the Terry Fox Foundation website or there are pledge forms located at the Canada Post and Freshmart in Lansdowne.
For more information, or the chance to volunteer or donate a prize, please contact Lisa-Marie Gow at lmariegow@gmail.com or the Terry Fox website at http://www.terryfox.org/Run/ .
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