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Terry Fox Run breaks records

Despite the rain and cold almost 300 people participated in the Whistler Terry Fox Run last Sunday, running or biking either 5 km or 10 km to support cancer research.
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With Gear Local firefighters support cancer research.

Despite the rain and cold almost 300 people participated in the Whistler Terry Fox Run last Sunday, running or biking either 5 km or 10 km to support cancer research.

And despite the fact that about 100 fewer people took part than the previous year, the 2007 event broke all local records by raising over $20,000. The tally was buoyed by large personal donations of $5,000 and $1,000, as well as the close to $5,500 raised by staff from the Four Seasons.

“We’re pretty happy with everything,” said organizer Mary Vaughan. “The Hairfarmers were great providing the entertainment, Diana Rochon of Dynamic Core Fitness did a great job setting the course, and the first ever Corporate Challenge went great. In the end the winners were the Whistler Fire and Rescue Services, which brought about 16 people out, and 12 that did the full 10 km in their fire gear.”

For winning the corporate category, Whistler Fire Rescue Services won a staff party donated by Buffalo Bill’s, while the runners-up — Delta Village Suites and the Pan Pacific — won free ads in the Whistler Question.

The winner of the grand prize this year was a member of the Four Seasons kitchen staff who helped raise money within the hotel and then volunteered at the food table during the race.

The highlight, said Vaughan, was the presentation made by Andrea Holmes. Holmes lost part of a leg to cancer and was inspired by the example of Terry Fox to pursue a career as a Paralympian. She represented Canada in the long jump at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, and recently won a bronze in the Para Pan American Games. However, with the Olympics coming to Vancouver and Whistler she has decided to make the switch to alpine skiing, something she enjoyed before her illness, and will start competing this year with the goal of qualifying for the national team for 2010.