The Prince Albert Police Service won the annual Terry Fox Relay and got the trophy back after losing to Parkland Ambulance in 2024.
The annual fundraiser returned to the Harry Jerome Track at Max Clunie Field on Saturday.
The Police knocked off the defending champion Parkland Ambulance and the Prince Albert Fire Department to claim the annual relay title.
Sgt. Brennan MacDonald served as the coach for the Police Service team. MacDonald said it was great to be back in first.
“We got some young guys here that were chomping at the bit to get the trophy back so it was good, “MacDonald said.
“We got some bragging rights there … so it was nice to get the trophy back. Last year we weren’t able to get it and this year we were, so it was good,” he added.
While the victory was sweet, MacDonald said the cause was just as significant. He said it was important for the Police Service to come out and support the relay.
“Everybody’s affected by cancer … so it’s important to come out and show support for the Terry Fox Relay,” he said.
Before the race began, each emergency service made a $500 donation to the Terry Fox Foundation. The race kick-started the local campaign leading up to the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 14. The funds raised will go towards the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research. The Dutchak family also made a significant donation of an undisclosed amount.
The race returned to the traditional 4x100m relay format after being done on one stretch of the track at PACI in 2024, where the baton was handed off at either end of the track.
MacDonald said the group did minimal training, but executed its strategy.
“The guys just got back from police college, so they’re in pretty top shape, three of them,” he said. “They’re kind of (in) peak condition. We just showed up here, but the guys had a game plan and they executed it perfectly, so that’s awesome.”
The winning team received a trophy donated by Malcolm Jenkins eight years ago which replaced the original trophy.
The Terry Fox Run for cancer research takes place on Sunday, Sept. 14. Participants can walk, jog, run or wheel and can also choose the distance you want to go, 2, 5 or 10 km. A route will be marked out starting at the Alfred Jenkins Field House with a group start at 1:00 pm. Register between noon and 1 pm.
MacDonald thanked the organizers for the event.
“I’d like to thank the Terry Fox guys like Vern Hodgins putting this together. It’s a great event,” he said.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
