Marathon of Hope honours Mayor John (24 photos)

Many a step was taken yesterday in quiet contemplation of Sault Ste. Marie Mayor John Rowswell.

Members of the Rowswell family, City councillors and several of his close friends participated in the 30th annual Marathon of Hope in honour of the mayor who succumbed to cancer on August 31.

Sunday morning was clear and cool, with soft tendrils of mist playing on the river as the participants, calling themselves the Council Crew, set out at 9 a.m.

Some of Mayor John's younger grandchildren laughingly jockeyed for position in the wagon being pulled by his daughter Patricia Merling.

Seen are Damian Merling and Kylan Rowswell as they set out on the two-kilometre course.

The team was organized by Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers.

"This year, I am proudly supporting the Terry Fox Foundation in its ongoing work to fund innovative and progressive cancer research programs," Myers says on her donation page. "I very much hope you will consider making a donation in support of our efforts to honour the memory of Mayor John Rowswell as this 30th Anniversary Terry Fox Run is being dedicated to John."

Participants walked, ran, cycled or rolled as much as 10 kilometres at any speed they wanted to go.

Everyone was welcome to join in, and will be welcome again next year, said coordinator Maeve Coccimglio.

Coccimglio, along with Theresa and Nathan Mudge, set out the course and organized the team of volunteers and sponsors for this year's run.

"Although pledges are strongly encouraged, there is no registration fee or minimum donation amount required to participate," said Coccimglio. "If you've given a dollar, you are part of the Marathon of Hope," she quoted from Terry Fox, for whom the Marathon of Hope was founded.

Coccimglio was inspired to work with the Marathon of Hope after seeing Fox run through the Sault and learning about his courageous journey.

She was born on the same day and the same year as Fox and felt very inspired by his efforts.

In 30 years, the Marathon of Hope has spread across Fox's home country of Canada, to international recognition with more than 50 countries participating this year, said Coccimglio.