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Head to head for Terry Fox Run

Grab your friends, family and neighbours to join in and see if your town can get the highest number of participants

The gauntlet has been thrown.

The communities of Agassiz and Harrison are going head to head in a competition of numbers for the upcoming Terry Fox Run.

District of Kent Mayor John Van Laerhoven put out the challenge to Village of Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Leo Facio to see whose community can get the most participants out.

"Let's show Agassiz's spirit and support Terry Fox's marathon of Hope. I really encourage all citizens of the District of Kent to meet me at Cheam Village on September 20," says Van Laerhoven. "Together we'll walk off all those calories consumed at the Fall Fair and at the same time support this great cause while raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation."

When asked if it would be a more fair fight to count the participants by percentage of community instead of hard numbers, Van Laerhoven smiled.

"I'm sure the mayor of Harrison would like that."

But Facio isn't one to back down from a challenge. He says the village is up to the task.

"Put the word out folks," he urged at the August 10 Council meeting. "It is always a pleasure to challenge my neighbour in the District of Kent and I'm sure the Village of Harrison Hot Springs will come out in full force to this very special event held once a year."

Elinor Bell, local co-ordinator for the run, says no matter who wins the contest, the important thing is that people come out and participate in the run. She says it could be a close competition again this year.

"Last year, Agassiz narrowly edged out Harrison with the number of participants, so it will be interesting to see who has the most "Marathon of Hope" spirit this year," says Bell.

The 2014 run saw 91 people participate. Bell says they hope this year to set a new record of more than 100 for the 35th anniversary of the run.

The 2015 Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Cheam Retirement Village in Agassiz. Participants can come to the registration table as early as 9 a/,/ with the event starting at 10:00AM. The Runs are a non-competitive, all-inclusive, family oriented activity where participants can run, walk, push strollers or bike for 2km, 5km, or 10km. Dogs (on leash) are very welcome. Registration is by donation and there is no minimum pledge amount. Every participant is a special part of the cause, as living proof that cancer research saves lives.

Bell reports that they have enough volunteers signed up now to run the race. All that's needed now is participants! For more information, please contact Elinor Bell at 604-796-9786 or email elimal63@gmail.com

Van Laerhoven isn't the first this year to set up a challenge to other communities for the Terry Fox Run. In June, Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore challenged every mayor across Canada to raise help raise $1 for each Canadian.

“Terry’s wish, 35 years ago, was to raise $1 from every Canadian to fund important cancer research. Together, 35 million Canadians can raise $35 million on the 35th Anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to our greatest Canadian icon,” Moore said.