Multigenerational turnout honours Terry Fox at Lamoureux Park
The spirit of Terry Fox was evident in Lamoureux Park on Sunday as roughly 200 participants converged on the Lion’s Bandshell for Cornwall’s annual Terry Fox Run. The event drew families spanning three generations, underscoring the run’s enduring place in the city’s calendar.
Among those on the park’s winding course were grandparents Denis and Micheline Martel, who arrived with their daughter Andree-Anne Martel and two grandchildren, Pierre-Alexandre and Anne-Frederique Girard-Martel. The family’s participation reflected a long-standing connection to the cause: both Denis and Micheline lost their mothers to cancer and have supported the run for decades.
“I used to run the Terry Fox as an (École élémentaire catholique Ste‑Lucie) teacher with the kids for years,” Micheline Martel said. “I just read his book to the grandkids.”
Denis Martel recalled first seeing Terry Fox during his cross‑Ontario run in 1980, a memory that helped cement the family’s commitment to the event. For many in Cornwall, the run remains a meaningful way to remember those lost to cancer and to participate in efforts that support ongoing research.
Volunteer organiser maintains local connection
Ian Callan, who has organised the Cornwall run five times, said the turnout and the stories shared by participants are the heart of the event. Callan — a former student of Denis Martel — cited his own family’s experience with cancer as a motivating factor for taking on the role.
“I’m a very proud Cornwallite, and I’m happy the community comes out,” Callan said, describing the anticipation leading up to the run as ‘‘kind of like Christmas’’ because of the community energy and the chance for people to come together.
Callan also thanked volunteers and supporters for keeping the legacy going, noting that seeing multiple generations participate reassures him the message of Terry Fox continues to resonate locally.
What happened at the Cornwall event
- Where: Lamoureux Park, Lion’s Bandshell
- When: Sunday morning (Sept. 20)
- Attendance: About 200 participants
- Organiser: Ian Callan (local volunteer, fifth year organising)
- Notable families: The Martel / Girard‑Martel family — three generations present
The run combined remembrance with community connection. Organisers distributed post‑run items at the bandshell and encouraged conversation among participants, many of whom shared personal stories about cancer losses and survival.
| Detail | Local figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated participants | 200 |
| Organiser | Ian Callan |
| Location | Lamoureux Park — Lion’s Bandshell |
For many, the Cornwall Terry Fox Run remains more than a short community gathering: it is a ritual that connects younger residents with the story of Fox’s Marathon of Hope, and provides an annual focal point for reflection on cancer research and support. Participants said the event’s continuity — with some families attending year after year — helps sustain awareness of the cause and the fundraising efforts tied to it.
Organisers and long‑time supporters alike expressed gratitude that Cornwall’s community turnout mirrors the national sentiment that keeps Terry Fox’s legacy visible more than four decades after his run began.
As volunteers packed up at the bandshell, there was consensus that the run’s combination of remembrance, family participation and local volunteer leadership would ensure the event remains a fixture in Cornwall’s autumn calendar.
