Just as Terry Fox ran alone for many parts of his journey, those joining in this year's run will be experiencing a similar athletic solitude.

Instead of cancelling the Terry Fox Run in Winnipeg due to gathering size restrictions, the run will be taking place virtually for the first time.

"Terry did not have a crowd around him every day... there had to be moments where he was on his own and pushing himself. We want people to feel that way too," Amy Brown, the co-organizer for the Terry Fox Run's Winnipeg chapter says. 

Brown says Terry Fox fought to raise money for cancer research, and now the foundation is fighting with the same target in mind. The event's organizer says that Terry Fox would not have postponed a run, so neither are they.

"Cancer research can not wait."

On September 20, the Terry Fox Run will be happening, just not in person.

"We are going to be focusing on getting everyone online for a virtual run. Usually, we hold a run at Assiniboine Park and it is a physical run, but unfortunately due to everything happening with COVID, we had to move everything online," Brown says.

While the event is online, Brown says the run does not have to be done completely alone.

Participants are encouraged to continue the run, but with an added step: sharing their journey online.

"Challenge each other through a fitness app that we have on our page," she says. Brown hopes participants "inspire people by sharing their cause on social media."

The Terry Fox Run wanted to create an innovative way to host a virtual run while still raising funds for cancer research.

"No matter what, even though times can be tough, 2020 has had its twists and turns, we are able to actually still push and say 'we are going to raise funds for cancer research," Brown says. "We are going to do what we can because we know that Terry today would have done the same."

The foundation is also asking Manitobans what "Try Like Terry" means to them, and how people can do their best.

Each day leading up to the September 20th run, for 40 days, the foundation is sharing a historical moment or quote from Terry Fox with hopes of inspiring others along the way.

Brown hopes the social media posts motivate and inspire others as the run races closer.