Just like every Terry Fox day for the past 10 years Ray Philip will strap on his running shoes this Sunday to raise money for cancer research. Says Philip, “I used to be overweight so I just decided to get in shape. Both my parents passed away in their 50s from cancer so I just decided that it was something to do, to raise some money to help.”
Last year, in spite of the run being virtual, Philip still raised 5,000 dollars, which he hopes to match this year. “I usually raise a good amount. I go to all the businesses, I do whatever I can do. I still went and did the run last year. I actually went to Thorold High where we usually do the run at 10 o’clock on Terry Fox day and I actually did the normal five kilometres run by myself. Even though it was cancelled I still went and did it the way I normally do it every year.”
Philip says he would run all day if he could. Says Philip, “As soon as I get home (from work) I basically throw on my running stuff and run. I like being outside and running. In the winter if weather is really, really bad I’ll run on my treadmill but if it’s not snowing I’ll go run outside.”
Philip’s love for running started 11 years ago. “I went to my doctor when I was about 48 years old and he told me that I was overweight,” says Philip. “Both my parents passed away from cancer so I just thought getting in shape and eating properly, it’s better than nothing. I went back a year later and I had lost 60 pounds. And he goes, ‘What happened?’. I said, ‘I listened to you’. He goes, ‘Well, normally people don’t listen to their doctors.’”
Philip says he has never looked back since getting healthy and picking up running. “I’m nine years older than my mom ever made it and three years older than my dad ever made it, so I’m doing okay.”
The Thorold Terry Fox Run takes place this Sunday, September 19. The run will commence from the Thorold Community Credit Union at 10am. To pledge money to Philip’s run you can go to the website.
