Despite the cool, damp conditions Sunday, about 70 people showed up for the annual Terry Fox Run in Whitehorse.

Organizer Susanne Hingley, who was recruited earlier this year when the event was in danger of being cancelled, said she was pleased with the turnout. Hingley was also happy with the $2,400 raised for cancer research.

'Relative to the weather, it went very well,' she said, in an interview Monday. 'We would like to see the numbers go up again next year. I know there were some circumstances this year that may have accounted for a lower turnout.'

Hingley pointed to the burnout from the Canada Winter Games, as well as the recent Klondike road relay as possible reasons for the decline in numbers. After speaking with several people Sunday, she's confident the event will make a big comeback.

'What's nice, is at the run this year, a lot of people stepped up to bat and offered to help out with next year's event. So we already have a starting committee for next year, which is fantastic.

'I think Whitehorse is a very supportive community.'

Sunday's event was MCd by local running enthusiast Tom Ullyett, and Yukon NDP leader Todd Hardy, who is battling leukemia, gave what Hingley called 'a touching speech'.

'It's nice to see people come on board and help out. I think we all know that cancer has touched everyone somehow,' said Hingley.

While the run had its emotional moments, it also offered a dose of humor beforehand, as participants warmed up to Right Said Fred's early 90s hit 'I'm too sexy'.

They then either ran or walked the Millennium Trail.

'Special thanks go to Jennifer Moorlag, who co-ordinated the volunteers,' concluded Hingley. 'If she hadn't helped out, I wouldn't have been able to do it.'

Terry Fox runs were also held in several Yukon communities, as well as at various schools throughout the territory. The total amount of money raised by all those events combined is not yet known.

Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg in 1977 and had his leg amputated above the knee. While in hospital, he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, a journey called the Marathon of Hope.

The Marathon of Hope took place in 1980 and with fierce determination, Fox ran an average of 42 kilometres every day for 143 days. In other words, he ran a marathon every day of his trip. Unfortunately, he was forced to stop his run on Sept. 1, 1980, when the cancer spread to his lungs.

But by Feb. 1, 1981, Fox's dream of raising $1 for every Canadian was realized. The Marathon of Hope had raised more than $24-million.

Fox died in 1981, but each year since then, during the month of September, thousands of Canadians and thousands more around the world choose one day to run, walk or bike and raise money for cancer, in honour of Fox.

To date, more than $360-million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Fox's name.

And perhaps just as importantly, people who are diagnosed with cancer have received more emotional support from their communities.