The 2017 Barrie Terry Fox Run set a new record for funds raised in the local chapter.
"We actually exceeded all of our runs to date. We are over $124,000," said new run Chairman Michael McDougall. "We were all very, very happy about that."
The previous record was $114,000.
Before this year's run even started there was over $40,000 in online donations.
Neighbours, colleagues, friends, loved ones were front of mind for the approximately 1,000 people who gathered Sunday morning
at Barrie's waterfront to walk or run for someone they know and in memory of Canadian hero Terry Fox.
"Terry Fox is an inspiration to many. We are here today to continue his legacy, " said young Allie Clark who sang the national anthem.
Barrie resident Will Dwyer, 92, has single-handedly raised almost $800,000 in the Terry Fox Run over 37 years and his total Sunday was just under $40,000.
Dwyer's ultimate goal is $1 million.
His inspiration came from seeing young Terry run all those years ago.
In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, Fox launched an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Fox called it his Marathon of Hope. He passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.
"When I saw Terry suffering and doing the walk, trying to raise money, I said I could do something. So I took it up," said Dwyer. "I think of Terry and the family every time. Think of the people with cancer. Try to help the best way I can. My mom had cancer."
McDougall says he's proud to have his name associated with the Canadian icon. Like many participants, McDougall is a cancer survivor.
"I actually lost my entire family to cancer. I'm a sole survivor. So when I see all of those people running it has an emotional effect on me that if you weren't a survivor you wouldn't understand," said McDougall.
Brian Tremain has done the run since it began nearly four decades ago.
"It's a great cause. A lot of people have been affected by cancer so it's something I think everyone should try and support," said Tremain.
This was Connor Harvey's first run outside of the ones held at school.
Cancer has hit him close to home.
"My grandma had breast cancer and she had to have a breast removed. My other grandma on my mom's side is going through it right now," said Harvey, 22.
"I'm running for my aunt Linda. She's been fighting cancer and going through chemo currently," said Harvey's friend Taylor Jones, 22.
Darrell Thomson brought his two young children Rowan and Spencer and his niece and nephew Mackenzie and Weston.
"It's been a family tradition. All families seemed to be touched by cancer somehow. Just in the last week I had a good friend, they found a brain tumour. So that's who were thinking about mostly today," said Thomson.
The weather was sunny, warm and gorgeous and participants had the chance to enjoy Barrie's refurbished waterfront.
Mayor Jeff Lehman spoke to the crowd before the run started.
"For all of you who are running and walking today, you may have a personal reason for this. You may be doing this as part of a group. Regardless of your reason, thank you," said Lehman. "Cancer touches literally everybody in our community, in our country and in the world and today you are participating in something that's going on all over the world."
