2025 Terry Fox Run in Fort St. John raises nearly $12,000

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The 45th annual Terry Fox Run in Fort St. John saw a strong turnout this past weekend, with nearly $12,000 raised for cancer research.

Though it hasn’t reached its stated goal of $13,600, organizer Tara Maddigan said she was pleased with the results of Sunday’s event, which she said drew around 150 participants and has raised close to $12,000 as of September 15th.

“I am satisfied with the results,” Maddigan told Energeticcity.ca. “The donation amount will be close to last year’s donation amount. This year’s participant amount is more than last year, though, so that’s great.”

Maddigan, who has been organizing the local event for four years, said the community support continues to highlight the impact cancer has had on many lives.

“I feel everybody has been touched by cancer at some point in their life, and if they haven’t, I am certain they will be,” said Maddigan. “Cancer seems to be so much more common now.”

The event began with registration at Northern Lights College before runners and walkers set off on five- and 10-kilometre routes.

The Fort St. John event was one of hundreds of runs held across the country in honour of Terry Fox, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in 1977, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. He began his Marathon of Hope in 1980 with the goal of raising funds for cancer research. 

Though Fox’s nationwide journey ended in Thunder Bay after 143 days, the annual event has grown into one of Canada’s most significant fundraising efforts.

According to the Terry Fox Foundation, since its inception, it has raised more than $900 million for cancer research.

Donations can still be made on the Terry Fox Foundation’s event website.