A more natural setting — and a savings "in the thousands" of dollars — are the reasons behind the move from Blue Mountain Park to Mundy Park for this year's Coquitlam Terry Fox Run.
And organizers Erin Davidson, Brenda Martel and Grace Choi say they hope the scenic location will not only be a hit with participants but will draw more to the annual fundraiser on Sunday.
"It's such a pretty area," said Martel, a cancer survivor who championed the Terry Fox School Runs as a teacher at Moody middle. "We want this to be our permanent run space."
Davidson, a former executive director of the Austin Heights Business Improvement Association, said the group is shaving "thousands" of dollars from its budget by relocating the event to Mundy, saving on such items as police and city resources, and rental of portable loos.
Mundy Park has a new fieldhouse on Hillcrest Street that has public washrooms and an overhang at the entrance, where the stage will be placed. (Terry Fox Foundation executive director Britt Andersen, a Belcarra resident, and BT news personality Greg Harper will be the keynote speakers).
As well, Mundy Park has a paved 5.5-km pathway that circles the 439-acre site — good for those with wheelchairs and strollers (participants running the 10-km route will loop the park twice).
And for those looking to fill up beforehand, the Coquitlam Optimists will serve up a pancake breakfast (by donation) while the Rotary Club of Coquitlam will have water stations on the route.
Other community groups volunteering include the Tzu Chi Foundation and SUCCESS as well as leadership students from Dr. Charles Best and Centennial secondary schools. Staff from BMO and other banks will be in charge of registering the 200-plus participants, said Choi, an event planner.
"We believe this will be a unique run," Martel said. "We have many people involved and we have a beautiful park for people to spend some time with the family and remember Terry Fox's legacy."
Coquitlam is one of 119 registered Terry Fox Runs happening in B.C. and the Yukon this year — and one of four in the Tri-Cities — said provincial director Donna White, about the same as in 2016.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
THE RUNS
PORT COQUITLAM
• 10 a.m., Hyde Creek recreation centre (1379 Laurier St.)
• Speakers: Cancer survivor Erin Danielle, PoCo Mayor Greg Moore, PoCo MLA Mike Farnworth
• Band: Giggle Dam Band
• Community support: Lions, Girl Guides, PoCo Heritage
• Routes: 2, 5, 7 and 10 km (longest route goes over the Coast Meridian Overpass)
• Suitable for: runners, walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, strollers, leashed dogs, inline skaters
• 2016 totals: $54,393 and 1770 participants
•••••••••••
COQUITLAM
• 10 a.m., Mundy Park field house (629 Hillcrest St., south of Spani Pool)
• Speakers: Terry Fox Foundation executive director Britt Andersen and BT personality Greg Harper
• Activities: pancake breakfast with Tim Horton's coffee
• Community support: Coquitlam Optimists, Rotary Club of Coquitlam, Tzu Chi Foundation, SUCCESS, leadership students from Best and Centennial, BMO and other banks
• Routes: 2, 5 and 10 km on gravel and paved pathway
• Suitable for: runners, walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, strollers, leashed dogs but NOT inline skaters
• 2016 totals: $20,365 and 250 participants
•••••••••
PORT MOODY
• 10 a.m., Rocky Point Park (2800 Murray St.)
• Community support: Rotary, Community Volunteer Connections' Flying Squad, Innovative Fitness
• Band: Second Wind
• Routes: 2, 5 and 10 km
• Suitable for: runners, walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, strollers, leashed dogs, inline skaters
• 2016 totals: $12,109 and 320 participants
••••••••••
ANMORE
• 1 p.m., Spirit Park (2697 Sunnyside Rd.)
• Speaker: Kirsten Fox, Terry Fox's niece and school co-ordinator for the Terry Fox Foundation BC/Yukon branch
• Community support: Refreshments provided afterward by Thrifty Foods and Cobs
• Routes: 1 and 5 km
• Suitable for: Runners, walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, strollers, leashed dogs, inline skaters
• 2016 totals: $4,480 and 135 participants
