Prince Albert Police Service relay team coach Josh Peterson has an easy explanation for his team’s success.
The PAPS relay squad defeated teams from the Prince Albert Fire Department and Parkland Ambulance to reclaim the Terry Fox Relay title on Saturday.
Afterwards, Peterson said the secret to finishing in the top spot was actually very simple.
“Probably the biggest secret was that I wasn’t running this year,” he chuckled following Saturday’s race at Harry Jerome Track. “But, I was able to recruit a really fast team, and a group that was just happy to work together and run for a good cause.”
Together, the police service, fire department and Parkland paramedics raised roughly $1,500 for the Terry Fox Foundation while providing spectators with a competitive relay race. The annual event serves as a chance to raise awareness for the upcoming Terry Fox run, while giving the three emergency service teams a chance to do their own fundraising for the cause.
Peterson said they’re always happy to take part.
“Anybody who’s at all familiar with Terry Fox and his legacy has to appreciate everything he’s done for cancer awareness (and) cancer treatment,” he said.
For the past few years, organizers have been trying to increase the number of racing teams participating in the relay. Although growth has been slow, Prince Albert Terry Fox Run committee member Chris Ferchuk said they’re pleased with how the 2018 race turned out. He’s also thankful for the commitment from the firefighters, police officers and paramedics, which said adds to the excitement.
“There’s a really a rivalry there and it brings out a lot of competition,” Ferchuk said afterwards. “They really bring out the excitement of this relay race.”
The 2018 Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Alfred Jenkins Field House. Registration opens at 1 p.m., with the run scheduled to start at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.terryfoxrun.org/run.
