Terry Fox Run 2017
September 17, 2017
Observations and pictures from today’s Terry Fox Run held here in St. Catharines:
1. Loyal readers may be aware that this was the 10th anniversary of the late Carli Ward’s last Terry Fox Run, which I had the honor of accompanying her on at Winnipeg’s largest off-leash dog park back in the SPRM. Understandably, the anniversary made this run a little more special than most of the others.
2. Since this was the first year the run was held at Brock, I was pleased to see this two-person welcoming committee at the corner of Glenridge and Isaac Brock Way, formerly St. Davids Road, along with the signage pointing the way. I’ve heard the phrase “you’re just supposed to know” once too often in these parts.
2a. This native of the flatlands has still not mastered the fine art of getting up the escarpment on two wheels. It’s getting easier at Queenston Heights and Taylor Road, but not on Glenridge.
3. Scenes before the run:
4. For an event that is supposed to be cyclist-friendly and with acres of outdoor space at their disposal, why was so much of the pre-run activity, including many of the announcements, held indoors? I understand the need to make plans in case of inclement weather, but the elements were hardly a factor on this day.
5. Speakers addressing the crowd prior to the run:
5a. Kudos to Walter Sendzik, our municipal ambassador for the Liberal Party of Canada, who managed to get through his speech without mentioning his compassionate city initiative, bashing Donald Trump, or dispensing any of the other Liberal rhetoric he’s become so fond of. It was particularly shocking given the presence of both the provincial and federal Liberal ambassadors, whom he often feels the need to impress. Especially the latter.
5b. Mayor Sendzik sure appeared to be in an awfully surly disposition upon his arrival, but his politician’s smile was back by the time the spotlight was on. Maybe it was just the sight of that snarky conservative on a bike who keeps taking him to task that put him in a bad mood.
6. While I was standing right on top of the word “START” painted on the sidewalk, someone came up and asked me where the starting line was. I should have told her to go to Port Dalhousie.
7. As the dignitaries were speaking, shouldn’t the River Lions cheerleaders have been facing the crowd instead of showing us their oversized derrieres?
7a. Two of those “cheerleaders” looked like they were eating for two. Except that they didn’t appear to be pregnant.
7b. Why weren’t they at the run in Niagara Falls so they could be closer to their “river”?
7c. If you haven’t guessed already, even if I had any interest in basketball, I would never attend a game because of their distasteful choice of nickname. I chose to make and remain proud to call St. Catharines my home. If those so-called “River Lions” don’t feel the same way, perhaps they should consider playing out of the Gale Center in the Falls.
7d. Question to ponder: Should those so-called “River Lions” be denied access to the Meridian Center?
8. There weren't more than 10 cyclists at the starting line. Maybe I’m not the only one having trouble getting up the escarpment.
9. The sound clip from Terry Fox one of the volunteers played on his phone was an awfully nice touch.
10. Scenes at the finish line:
11. You know I had to spot an SPRM plate. It was just a matter of when.
11a. Some of you might not be aware that Terry Fox and I are both natives of the degenerate capital of the SPRM, making the plate sighting in the parking lot at Brock a little more fitting. In addition, he and I went to the same elementary school in that part of the world.
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