CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Sept. 15, 2019
The Pontiac High School parking lot swelled with all manner of cyclists and pedestrians on Sunday afternoon for the . . .
38th annual Pontiac Terry Fox Run. There was music pumping out of the school’s gymnasium and the Shawville Lions had their barbeque firing on all cylinders, passing out burgers and hot dogs to people left and right.
The fundraiser was founded in 1981, as a commemoration of Fox’s iconic Marathon of Hope and has raised nearly a billion dollars for cancer research since that time. Shawville resident and former Phys. Ed. teacher, John Petty spearheaded the local effort with his late wife Betty and fellow teacher
Rick Valin, and the colleagues are still going strong.
Participants had the option of the classic route through town to Moffat farm, but many opted to take the PPJ trail, which runs adjacent to the high school.
The sun came out just as Petty started into his opening speech to the attendees as they lined up. He spoke about the families that come out every year and talked about one participant who called him up after beating cancer. A French opening speech was provided as well, before the playing of “O Canada” and the official start.
There were several local dignitaries in attendance, including Pontiac MNA André Fortin, Warden Jane Toller and the mayors of Shawville, Clarendon and Campbell’s Bay.
Petty said he was “pleased, but not satisfied,” adding that the Pontiac can do more to support the annual event. He estimated that this year’s run brought in roughly $6,000, though donations typically continue to come in until October.
