Terry Fox Run in Oman

Each year, millions of people around the world gather to raise money for cancer research in the Terry Fox Run (named after the courageous Canadian, Terry Fox, who lost a leg to cancer and attempted to run across Canada to raise funds and awareness). These are casual affairs, and you can complete the run on a bike, with a pram, or even on rollerblades. 

The Terry Fox run is a non-competative annual charity event held in numerous regions around the world. The run commemorates Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. The event was founded in 1981 by Isadore Sharp, who contacted Terry in hospital by telegram and expressed his wishes to hold an annual run in Terry's name to raise funds for cancer research. Sharp himself had lost a son to cancer in 1979. The event is held every year on the second Sunday following Labour Day. Since its inception, it has raised via the 'Terry Fox Foundation' close to $500 million Canadian dollars. The run itself is informal which means that the distance often varies, usually between 5 and 15 kilometres; participation is considered to be more important than completing the set distance. There are also runs set up by schools of every level, often with shorter distances than the "official" ones.

Unlike other major fund raising events, the Terry Fox Run has no corporate sponsorship. This is in accordance with Terry Fox's original wishes of not seeking fame or fortune from his endeavour. During his cross-Canada run, he turned down every endorsement he was offered (including from major multinationals such as McDonald's), as he felt that it would detract from his goal of creating public awareness. The Terry Fox Runs have no advertisements on any race related materials (such as t-shirts, banners, etc.).

The Terry Fox run takes place anually in Muscat during the month of February. It has grown to more than just a mere run for some. The pupils and teachers of The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) hosted a cancer shavathon in order to raise funds for children with leukemia all in the name of Terry Fox. This event occured in January 2013, roughly a month before the Terry Fox run. Thereafter the students held their own run for all those that wanted to participate. The school had 900 participants and managed to raise an impressive OMR3,000 for the charitable cause. In the past the run was also held at the Radisson SAS Hotel and has raised over OMR100,000 since its inception.