The Kepong Metropolitan Park was an ocean of blue T-shirts in the wee hours, with thousands gathering for the Terry Fox Run, an annual charity event to raise money for cancer research.
This global fundraiser is held in commemoration of the late Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox, an osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) patient who ran across Canada to raise money for research in the Marathon of Hope.
Since its genesis in 1981, the Terry Fox Run has involved millions of participants from over 60 countries, and is the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. To date, it has raised the equivalent of over RM2.6 billion for this research worldwide.
The Terry Fox Run has been taking place here since the 1990s. Previously held by volunteer organisations, it is now organised by Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY), the exclusive licence holder for the Terry Fox Run in the country and the sole Malaysian beneficiary since 2022.
The event is non-competitive and family-oriented, with participants allowed to jog, walk, skate, or even ride on someone’s shoulders. As its website famously says, the only thing participants are racing against is cancer!
There was, therefore, a jovial, carnivalesque mood in the air as participants mingled just before the 7am kick-off. Runners of every age, size, race and background had turned up, with children aplenty.
Many wore blue race T-shirts with Fox’s image, emblazoned with the words “No Matter What”, this year’s tagline.
The morning started with a lively warm-up session by RC Fitness, followed by opening remarks by CRMY chairman Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Mukhriz and High Commissioner Designate of Canada to Malaysia Jodi Robinson.
After that, it was time to get going. Runners were in high spirits as they traversed the park’s estimated 3.3km, some taking time to enjoy the picturesque sights. The weather also proved to be good: sunny without being sweltering.
The run officially ended at around 8.30am, but there was still a lot of fun to be had thereafter. Participants won prizes in a lucky draw and quiz contest, enjoyed photo booths and face-painting stalls, and collected goodie bags.
Milo and Farm Fresh trucks were also on hand to provide cool refreshments.
Happily, over RM220,000 was raised for cancer research this year. CRMY CEO Andy Khoo Boo Teik pronounced the event a success, revealing that more than 3,800 people had participated, compared with 3,500 last year.
“The Terry Fox Run has always been a great way to increase awareness and get more publicity for cancer research. We also managed to organise two Terry Fox Runs outside KL this year – in Melaka in February and Penang in June – and they had very promising starts,” Khoo told FMT Lifestyle.
Many of the participants also shared that they had enjoyed themselves. Sixty-three-year-old Boon Bing Lee, a retired businesswoman, said this was a good way to keep healthy.
“This is my third Terry Fox Run so far. It’s a lot of fun, and for a good cause,” she said.
Also running were Dharma Anand and Theresa Simon, both 44, with their children Hannah Neha, 14, and Lucas Akhil, 11. This is the second Terry Fox Run in which they have participated as a family.
“The run was well organised and had a good response. We have some people we know who are going through cancer, so we thought this would be a good way to support them,” Anand said.
“It was like a fun morning walk, a good time to bond with your family.”
For more information on the Terry Fox Run, visit Cancer Research Malaysia’s website. Also follow the Terry Fox Run on Facebook.