Photos, videos and memorabilia of Terry Fox growing up in Port Coquitlam are being sought in the week leading up to the annual runs in his name.
The municipality, along with PoCo Heritage and the Fox family, is asking for still and moving images, as well as objects, of the hometown hero in the late 1960s and 1970s as he attended Glen Elementary, Mary Hill Junior High School, Port Coquitlam High School and Simon Fraser University.
Accepted donated or loaned items will be part of a permanent and changing display at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.), due to open next spring, showing how Fox inspired local athletes with his historic 1980 Marathon of Hope, which raised millions of dollars for cancer research.
Specifically, the curators are wanting items that reflect Fox’s early life like:
- pictures and video footage of Fox
- especially his connection to sports events and school or with friends and mentors
- school and sporting souvenirs
- like yearbooks and ribbons
- keepsakes from significant locations
- such as Aggie Park, McLean Park, Emo’s Farm, Westwood Race Track, Coquitlam River and Glen Park
The deadline to submit photos and tokens is Friday, Sept. 27.
Applicants can enter a digital item online or make an appointment with PoCo Heritage to provide it in person. For more details on donating or loaning, you can call PoCo Heritage at 604-927-8403 or email [email protected].
“Terry Fox’s story began right here in Port Coquitlam,” Mayor Brad West said in a news release.
“I believe that the personal memories, photos and items contributed by those who knew him will provide a heartfelt and authentic tribute to his legacy.”
He added, “Our goal is to create a meaningful display that reflects Terry’s roots in our city. I encourage everyone to take part in this important journey by sharing their cherished memories, helping us showcase the spirit of determination and hope that Terry embodied."
The new exhibit, titled Terry Fox: Inspiring Local Champions, is funded in part by the federal government.
Terry Fox Runs
Meanwhile, the Terry Fox flag is flying at all civic facilities in Port Coquitlam after Mayor Brad West declared Sept. 11 to 18, 2024, as Terry Fox Week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, West proclaimed the special week and officially received the Terry Fox flag from Hometown Run organizer Dave Teixeira.
City hall will be bathed in a blue light during the week in honour of Fox.
Teixeira, who is leading the PoCo run on Sept. 15 for his 23rd year, said the route is split into 2-, 6- and 8-km events — the latter two heading over the Coast Meridian Overpass; the 2-km turnaround is at Coquitlam Avenue.
Commuters are advised to take alternate routes as the 1300-block of Laurier Avenue will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., where the Hometown Run starts and ends by the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.
And between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the following routes will be shut down:
- Coast Meridian Road
- from Laurier to Kingsway avenues
- Coast Meridian Connector
- access to Tim Horton’s via Lougheed Highway
- Coast Meridian Overpass
- detour along Lougheed Highway
- 2100-1700 block of Kingsway Avenue
- from Wilson to Broadway avenues detour via Langan Avenue
- 2100-block of Kelly Avenue
- from Mary Hill Road to Kingsway Avenue
This year’s featured speaker is a Terry’s Team member, Erin Danielle Ness, a cancer survivor, while the band Cakewalk will entertain at the fundraiser.
Teixeira told the Tri-City News more than 3,000 participants walk, ran, cycled and rollerbladed in the 2023 Hometown Run, raising $120,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation — about $2 for every Port Coquitlam resident.
Tri-City Run Details
Port Coquitlam (hometown)
- Registration time: 8 a.m.
- Start time: 10 a.m.
- Location: Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave.)
- Distance: 2-, 6 and 8-km
- Fundraising goal: $115,000
Coquitlam
- Registration time: 9 a.m.
- Start time: 10 a.m.
- Location: Mundy Park (Hillcrest Street entrance)
- Distance: 5 km
- Fundraising goal: $8,300
Port Moody
- Registration time: 8:30 a.m.
- Start time: 10 a.m.
- Location: Rocky Point Park (2800-block of Murray Street)
- Distance: 2-, 5- and 10-km
- Fundraising goal: $9,000
For more information about Terry Fox or the 44th annual runs on Sunday, Sept. 15, you can visit the Terry Fox Foundation.
Home run T-shirts
Limited edition Hometown Run T-shirts — with the 2024 theme “No Matter What,” which were designed by Vancouver actor Ryan Reynolds and the Fox family, are now available for $25 and $20 at these Port Coquitlam locations:
- Hyde Creek Rec Centre (main desk)
- 1379 Laurier Ave.
- Port Coquitlam Community Centre (main desk)
- 2150 Wilson Ave.
- Patina Brewing
- 2332 Marpole Ave.
- Save-On-Foods
- 2385 Ottawa St.
- Save-On-Foods
- 1430 Prairie Ave.
To volunteer for the Hometown Run by helping with set up and take down, registration, traffic control, oranges preparation and other duties, you can email Mary Ness at [email protected].
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