Today (April 12) is the exact day Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope 39 years ago, but a Prince George man who stepped up for the cause locally will be stepping away.
Scott McWalter has announced in a Facebook post that after five years, he will now no longer be the Lead Organizer of the Terry Fox Run here in the northern capital.
"To be honest, there wasn’t any particular reason for stepping down from the Lead Organizer position, other than the fact I didn’t have the same high level of passion as I did in 2014 when I first stepped into the role," he tells PrinceGeorgeMatters. "It’s time for someone to come in and once again amp up the enthusiasm for the Terry Fox Run."
McWalter says it was incredibly tough to come to the decision, but after months of indecisive contemplation, he decided it was time for someone new to come in and take over, but what the experience for the past five years is something he'll cherish.
"Truly, what I’ll miss most about being Lead Organizer of the PG Terry Fox Run is seeing the hundreds of local families that come to the event every year," he says. "I love overhearing parents talk to their children about Terry Fox, articulating what it means to show courage, resiliency, and determination while striving towards a goal. Both families and individuals show up to the event every year and inevitably leave feeling inspired by one of our nation’s greatest and most iconic heroes."
St. John's, Newfoundland when Terry dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean to signify the start of the Marathon of Hope, taken by his brother Darryl. (via Scott McWalter)While he is stepping down, McWalter says his advice for whoever takes over the role would be to continue to follow the Terry Fox Foundation and its impacts while also educating the community here in Prince George, just how great and inspirational Terry Fox was.
McWalter is a well-known face in the Prince George community, giving back and representing the community with pride and proudness. He says as today (April 12) marks the day Terry Fox started his journey, there is one simple message.
"That moment, caught in time, on April 12, 1980, is a reminder to us all that ANYTHING is possible, but only if you do one simple thing: start," he says.
He will always remember the excitement of being the lead organizer but it provided more for the community.
"Being the Lead Organizer of the Terry Fox Run was exciting and provided the perfect opportunity to further enhance and prolong Terry Fox’s legacy as a Canadian hero in our community," McWalter says.
Although he was the organizer for the past five years, he appreciates what the previous people in his role did for the event and Terry Fox's legacy as well as his parents.
"A special thank you to all of the volunteers and various contributors who helped keep Terry's legacy in Prince George alive over the years," his Facebook post reads. "As well, I'd like to recognize all other former Lead Organizers for helping elevate the Prince George Terry Fox Run to where it is today. A major shout-out to my parents, too, who brought my siblings and me to our very first Terry Fox Run back in the 90's when we were kids. I haven't missed a single once since!"
