Campus Recreation is sponsoring the first ever Terry Fox run in North Carolina on Centennial Campus on Sunday.

According to Peter Koutroumpis, the assistant director for campus recreation, the event is non-competitive.

“This event isn’t competitive, we want to remember why Fox started this 30 years ago,” Koutroumpis said.  “The whole idea behind this run is to fundraise.  It’s meant for people to come out for various reasons.”

The event is being held just days after the Centennial Campus Welcome, and Campus Recreation is continuing to strive for more future Centennial Campus events.

“We wanted to have a more active event on Centennial Campus after the Centennial Campus Welcome,” Koutroumpis said.  “We’re trying to plan more campus recreations activities on Centennial Campus.”

Koutroumpis said another benefit of the race is that no training has to be done for the event, which allows more people to compete.

“Another purpose for the run is to provide an opportunity for the physically challenged as well as for anyone else.  People don’t have to train for this, so to speak.” Koutroumpis said.

Terry Fox lost his right leg at the age of 18, due to bone cancer.  Fox decided to run from coast to coast to raise money for cancer research. He referred to this journey as the Marathon of Hope, according to terryfox.org.

Fox began his journey on April 12, 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  Averaging 26 miles a day, Fox was able to run 3,339 miles in 143 days before he was forced to stop because the cancer had spread to his lungs.

Terry Fox passed away June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.  After Fox’s passing, the annual Terry Fox Run began and has raised nearly $500 million for cancer research.

Koutroumpis said he wants to encourage people to come out and show their support.

“This is our first time holding the Terry Fox Run in North Carolina,” Koutroumpis said.  “We want this to be a regular tradition here.”