With the annual Terry Fox Runs less than a month away, Port Coquitlam is calling for artists to create a new public sculpture of the hometown hero.
The municipality is commissioning a permanent, site-specific artwork to honour Fox and his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada journey he started in 1980 to raise money for cancer research but didn't complete due to the spread of the disease in his own body.
The Simon Fraser University (SFU) undergrad died in 1981 at Royal Columbian Hospital.
The sculpture, which will focus on Fox's childhood and youth in Port Coquitlam, may have interactive features such as sound, lighting and projections.
And it's designed to draw current residents, as well as visitors to the city, to spark conversation about Fox’s legacy.
Artists considering to apply for the project have until Sept. 12.
Meanwhile, the 43rd annual Terry Fox community runs will be held on Sept. 17 in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody and Anmore.
The Hometown Run, which starts at 10 a.m. from the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave.), will have 2-, 6- and 8-km routes for walkers, runners, cyclists, rollerbladers and skateboarders.
You can register online early or, if you’re unable to take part, donate. To date, the 2023 PoCo team has raised more than $17,000 of its $75,000 goal.
Last year, 3,000 people participated in the PoCo run and brought in more than $80,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
As well, you can pick up a limited edition Hometown Run T-shirt at:
- Port Coquitlam Community Centre (main desk, 2150 Wilson Ave.)
- Patina Brewing (2332 Marpole Ave.)
- Save-On-Foods (2385 Ottawa St.)
- Save-On-Foods (1430 Prairie Ave.)
Can you help with the Terry Fox Run? Volunteers are needed for the Hometown Run for registration, set up, take down, traffic control and food preparation. Email [email protected] for more.
