By Olivia McDonald / CKPG News

Terry Fox remembered by family as Prince George exhibit opens

Oct 15, 2018 | 4:24 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Exploration Place and the University of Northern British Columbia marked Terry Fox’s remarkable Marathon of Hope with the opening of a detailed exhibit on his journey. 

It’s one of the most comprehensive exhibits ever organized on Terry Fox’s legacy and it’s set up for its final stop of the tour in Prince George. The display includes artifacts like Fox’s artificial leg, clothes, and journal. The CEO of The Exploration Place, Tracey Calogheros, says it took many hours of planning and preparation but to see the finished product was all worth it. 

“It’s elation, listening to the kids that are in here already from Ron Brent (Elementary) and the joy I am hearing in their voices. For me this morning when we first turned it on and it was quiet I could hear the sound of Terry running and it just gave me chills, it took me back to my youth in Ontario and to all of the stories you’ve ever heard about Terry. It’s a powerful exhibit.”

It was back in 1979 when Fox was in Prince George running what’s now called the Labour Day Classic. He may have finished dead last but the fact that he was able to finish pushed him to officially announce his plans on running the “Marathon of Hope.” Eight months later, he set off on his journey. 

“He was a pain in the butt,” Darrell Fox says as he remembers what his brother Terry was like.

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“I mean he was like any brother, he wasn’t perfect and he would be the first to admit that. What I remember most about Terry was that he was extremely driven, he wasn’t a great student, he was not a good athlete but he never gave up. He always tried his very best. I think that’s a very important message to share with future generations which is what we do with having over 8,000 schools host Terry Fox events. We tell them that the only limitations you have are self-imposed, you can do anything just like Terry Fox did.” 

The exhibit gives an in-depth look at Fox’s epic 143-day, 5,000-kilometre journey from St. John’s, Nfld. to Thunder Bay, Ont. Located at the University of Northern British Columbia is where the second part of the exhibit is on display, the iconic Marathon of Hope van.

The exhibit will be open to the public at both The Exploration Place and UNBC until Jan. 13, 2019.