A Brief History of The Edward I. Moses Walk
-Run for Life


The Walk-Run for Life started in St. Lawrence County in 1979.  Its original route stretched from Brasher Falls to Winthrop, Massena, Waddington, Ogdensburg, Heuvelton, the intersection of Routes 812 and 11, Canton, Potsdam, Parishville, Hopkinton, Nicholville, North Lawrence and then back to Brasher Falls.  The entire route was divided between individuals and groups, each running their own portion of the route.  The event's primary purpose was to publicize the Spring house-to-house American Cancer Society appeal.

After the initial event, the fund raiser was named in memory of Edward I. Moses, past president of Kinney Drugs headquartered in Gouverneur, N.Y., and as a result, Kinney's became its first and principal corporate sponsor.

During the event's first few years, the Walk-Run for Life employed a "spoke" approach.  Participants ran from various outlying towns throughout the county and met at the American Cancer Society office in Canton.  Local REACT volunteers helped provide safety, monitoring and refreshments when the route was on the Miner Street Road.  After St. Lawrence University developed the Ferguson Memorial Trail in honor of student Sara Ferguson, the Walk-Run For Life was subsequently moved onto the S. L. U. campus and the Ferguson Trail for the safety of all of the participants.

The Edward I. Moses Walk-Run for Life has raised over $950,000 in total since its historical founding.  2009 participants succeeded in raising more than $87,000 and next year's goal is our one-millionth dollar (plus).  New participants are always welcome.  Come help us on Sunday, April 25th, 2010.

In 2011 the event will be held on April 24th.