The Terry Fox Run may have been cancelled in Cranbrook for 2009, but several other East Kootenay communities as well as local schools kept up the tradition by holding their own runs.

Golden, Sparwood, Invermere, and Kimberley all held Terry Fox Runs to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

"Terry Fox left an amazing legacy," said Donna White, provincial director for the Terry Fox Foundation. "Cancer touches all of us. We all know someone who's battle it. People we've loved and lost. This is about picking up Terry's torch. Canadians continue to come together to keep his memory and his dream alive."

The East Kootenay runs, which took place on Sunday, September 13, raised close to $10,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Kimberley raised $2,700, Invermere and Sparwood each raised over $3,000, and Golden raised $1,000.

Friday, September 25 was National School Run Day, with many local schools participating.

"These kids were not around to witness Terry's run, for them he's another face in the history books," said White. "It's amazing to see his legacy continue with the kids who will become the run organizers of the future. Terry's greatest message is that you have to give it your best and never give up."

Laurie Middle School in Cranbrook was one those schools participating. Nearly the entire student body was out for the run, which went up Victoria Avenue to Rotary Trail and back to the school.

"It's great to be able to bring awareness to the kids about an issue as important as cancer," said Cheryl Wilkinson, a teacher at Laurie and one of the organizers. "It's a wonderful fundraiser. Terry Fox was such a good role model and hero for the kids."

Before going out on the run, the students watched a short video on Terry Fox and his legendary run.