One-year after first taking on an organizing role for the annual Terry Fox Run, George Maratos is hoping this year's edition surpasses the success gained in 2008.

A long-time admirer of the native to Winnipeg, Maratos took on the position after being disappointed with the turnout in 2007. Just one year later, however, the run attracted hundreds of people and generated more than $5,300.

"That was quite an increase from the previous year," he said. "I think we almost doubled the amount raised, so that was my goal from the previous year, but also just to keep the interest.

"I think it is one of those events where a lot of people tend to walk the Millennium Trail on Sunday anyway, so why not do it with your family and put some money towards cancer research and maybe have a burger and listen to some music while you are at it."

This year's run will be held Sunday at Whitehorse's S.S. Klondike. Registration is scheduled to begin at noon.

There is no cost to register, however Maratos said individual donations will be accepted instead. The run itself begins at 1 p.m. and works its way around the Millennium Trail.

The event will feature live entertainment, which will occur during the registration period and later in the afternoon.

Maratos said he his mother told him the story of Terry Fox when he was a young boy.

"It's pretty amazing," he said. "If you think about it he's just a young guy, not even 20 and he loses his leg and decides to put all of this effort into raising money for cancer. It was really all about the cause."

He said the Christmas before Fox passed away was a testament to just how true he was to the cause.

"He (Fox) didn't even have enough money to buy his mom a Christmas gift even though he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars," Maratos said. "He didn't keep any of it himself, he put it all towards cancer research, so it's quite a remarkable story when you look at what he was able to accomplish."

Fox became famous for his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run that raised money for cancer research.

Fox, who at the time was a cancer survivor, ran with one prosthetic leg and is considered one of Canada's most recognizable figures. Every September individuals across the country participate in the Terry Fox Run, raising money for cancer research.

Maratos said the idea is to make Sunday's event something that people will want to stick around for after finishing. He hopes to have 300 people or more take part.

Sunday's run in the Yukon capital will also include an inspirational speech by Yukoner Joy Karp just before 1 p.m.

"It just gives it a nice feel from the community perspective and just lets people know how important it is to keep the research going," Maratos said.

In an effort to cut costs, the Terry Fox Foundation will require smaller communities like Whitehorse to order all shirt purchases on-line. Individuals looking to buy T-shirts can go www.terryfoxrun.org.

Maratos said people are free to participate any way they like.

"It's not timed, it's not a race," he said. "It's more of just a chance to bring people together to raise money for the cause."