It was a record day for the Terry Fox Run in Whitehorse.

A total of 388 runners and walkers turned out to Rotary Peace Park Sunday afternoon, raising $10,494.35 for cancer research.

Both numbers are records for the local community run, said organizer George Maratos.

“In my eight years, we have never surpassed $10,000 or 250 people,” he told media in an email. “We shattered both of these.”

The sun shone on participants who completed a loop of the five-kilometre Millennium Trail.

Last year’s race saw less than $5,000 raised. This year’s Marathon of Hope was the 35th annual event held in Terry Fox’s honour.

Fox is considered a national hero for his attempted run across the country to raise awareness for cancer research.

When he was 21, Fox began his journey in Newfoundland, running west for 143 straight days – on one leg.

He was unable to finish his journey however, as cancer eventually returned to his body and took his life.

Since then, runs in Fox’s honour have been held to continue his dream of a cure for cancer. Nearly $700 million has been raised over the past 35 years.

The local run is one of thousands held across the country and the world.

Maratos has always hoped to crack the $10,000 plateau at a Whitehorse run, and he thanked the community for its generosity.

Maratos noted the call down to the Terry Fox Foundation in British Columbia to announce how much was raised in Whitehorse is an annual highlight for him.

“It’s kind of cool when you call down to the shop in Vancouver and all these volunteers – who are probably dealing with cancer themselves – are manning the phones,” he said. “They’re definitely hugely grateful for the amount we send down.

“It’s a highlight of my year – that call down to Vancouver.”

Maratos said he continues to admire Fox as an athlete, especially the fact he ran 143 marathons in a row.

“It’s pretty admiring and admirable,” said Maratos, who noted he struggled through one leg of the Klondike Trail of ’98 International Road Relay last weekend.

“His legacy continues to grow and it really feels like he’s the one driving this event.”

Outside of Whitehorse, community Terry Fox events are scheduled to take place in Carmacks, Dawson City, Gitsegukla and Watson Lake.

A message to B.C. and Yukon run director Donna White regarding funds raised at other events in the territory was not immediately returned.

Last year, the provincial Terry Fox Foundation issued a plea to Yukon communities in an attempt to see more runs take place in the territory.

The national school day run is set for next Wednesday, with nearly 1,400 schools taking part across B.C. and Yukon.