Sawyer Lang isn’t going to let a few injuries stop him from doing something important.
Lang, a native of Fullarton, will be taking part in the annual Terry Fox Run this Sunday. He’s planning on taking things a step further, as he and his brother Seth will be running from St. Marys to Stratford – a run of approximately 25 kilometres.
The injuries Lang suffered happened in 2020 when he broke both of his heels during a recreational activity. Since then, running for longer periods of time result in him feeling a little more pain than he used to, and a limp appears once the pain in his legs becomes more intense.
“It’s a challenge for me,” he said. “My first Terry Fox Run was in 2021, a year after my accidents. I ran from the St. Marys Quarry to Stratford, which is about 18 km.”
He followed that up by looping Lake VIctoria in Stratford for 10 km. Then last year, he got really ambitious: going from Stratford to the outskirts of London – about 60 km.
“This year, I’ve set a goal of $1,000, and I’ve already exceeded that, which is pretty cool,” he said.
According to www.terryfox.org, two out of every five Canadians will face cancer at some point in their life. To date, over $900 million has been raised for cancer research because of this event, which sees more than 600 communities across the country take part.
The Lang family has raised $1,125 so far, and you can donate to their efforts here.
“Determined minds can change the world, no matter how many challenges they may face,” Lang said.
The Terry Fox Run in Stratford is on Sunday, Sept. 15. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at Upper Queen's Park. Make sure you visit www.terryfox.ca/55962 for updated information.
