Students and staff from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools will be lacing up their running shoes for a relay-style marathon from Ladysmith to Lantzville in honour of the 45th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. The run will take place over three days with schools and the community raising money for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete and Métis person from Port Coquitlam, BC who set off in 1980 to run across Canada after losing his leg to amputation following a cancer diagnosis. Fox’s Marathon of Hope aimed to raise money for cancer research. He was forced to suspend his Marathon of Hope after 143 days when his cancer returned. He passed away June 28, 1981. In September 1981, the first Terry Fox Run was held in Fox’s memory to continue to raise funds for cancer research. Since 1980, Terry Fox Runs around the world have raised more than $850 million for cancer research.
Each school in the district will have a team of five to eight runners participating in the relay marathon. Over three days, the run will cover more than 90 km. This will be the second time students and staff from the school district have coordinated a marathon relay to honour Canadian hero Terry Fox. In 2005, the school district organized a similar event with relay runners from Ladysmith to Lantzville schools, with individual schools raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation.
“Celebrating the legacy of a true Canadian hero, Terry Fox, while fostering community spirit and raising awareness for cancer research is a privilege and a joy,” said Jacquie Poulin, assistant superintendent with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. Poulin organized the 2005 run and is again organizing this year’s run. “The support and enthusiasm from our schools and community partners has been truly overwhelming. We’re looking forward to an inspiring and impactful three days.”
The run will kick off at Ladysmith Secondary School on Tuesday September 23, 2025. The runners will head from Ladysmith to North Oyster and Cedar, to Gabriola, central Nanaimo, north Nanaimo schools and then Lantzville, before heading back to Beban Park where the event will conclude with a wrap-up celebration.
Each school will be raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation. Community members who wish to donate can contribute through the NLPS fundraising page on the Terry Fox Foundation website.