BecAUSe We Care: UNB Varsity Reds lace up for annual Terry Fox Run in Fredericton
(FREDERICTON, N.B.) – A large group of UNB student-athletes came out Sunday to participate in the annual Terry Fox Run in Fredericton.
(FREDERICTON, N.B.) – A large group of UNB student-athletes came out Sunday to participate in the annual Terry Fox Run in Fredericton.
The forty Varsity Reds participants included 16 members of the cross country teams, 15 women’s basketball players and nine swimmers.
The run began downtown Fredericton, with the starting line set up at the Lighthouse on the Green on the banks of the St. John River. Runners ran east down the river to the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge where they crossed the river and completed their choice of out-and-back courses (1km, 5km and 10km).
“It was a chilly day but lots of our V-Reds were out nonetheless!” commented Paige Paulsen, UNB women’s volleyball player and head of the Varsity Reds athlete’s council. “I was there to take pictures at the start line and all the teams were in high spirits and were excited about participating. They were all full of smiles as they walked, ran or biked by.”
Taylor Lamarche, UNB cross country and track athlete and vice president of the athlete’s council, added that participation in community events such as this one enriches student-athlete experience and allows them to give back. “It’s important for student-athletes to have a strong presence at events like these as they help us to appreciate all that we have,” he said.
“The cross country team decided to have some fun towards the end of the race by challenging teammates to a short sprint to the finish,” Lamarche added. “The run was a lot of fun and athletes from each of our Varsity Reds teams ran together as a group.”
UNB student-athletes fundraised for the Terry Fox Foundation as collective teams as well as through individual donations.
“It’s important to give back and show our support by participating and being active in the community that supports us,” said Paulsen. “As athletes, we are always wearing an ‘invisible jersey’ and I am so proud that UNB student-athletes use this for good that is demonstrated by our activism, involvement and dedication to our community.”