Terry Fox stands as one of Canada’s most celebrated figures, with countless Canadians having witnessed archival clips of his legendary 1980 run across the nation, aimed at raising both awareness and funds for cancer research.
However, the newly released documentary Run Terry Run, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, argues that there is still much to uncover about the man behind the Marathon of Hope.
Directed by Sean Menard, the film utilizes 96 reels of previously unseen footage to showcase Fox’s voice, humor, challenges, and resolve.
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Run Terry Run, the upcoming Terry Fox documentary, has a new trailer
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Menard, known for his self-financed MuchMusic documentary 299 Queen Street West, was motivated to seek out first-hand accounts of Fox’s marathon due to the scarcity of high-quality footage available. With the assistance of the Terry Fox Foundation, he unearthed the footage in a Toronto storage facility just a few blocks from his residence. He later restored the film reels to 4K quality to create his documentary.
Here are some insights gained from the film.
1. Terry Fox didn’t achieve his final destination — but he ran thousands of kilometers to support his cause
Fox aimed to run from St. John’s to Victoria, covering approximately 8,000 kilometers. His daily target was about 42 kilometers, equivalent to a marathon.
In Ontario, he made several stops to speak at events, engage with supporters, and advocate for cancer research. These detours meant he did not reach as far west as he could have on a more direct path — potentially reaching Manitoba or Saskatchewan — but they were instrumental in transforming the Marathon of Hope into a nationwide initiative.
He was compelled to halt his journey near Thunder Bay, Ont., on September 1, 1980, after discovering that cancer had metastasized to his lungs. At that point, he had completed 5,373 kilometers in 143 days.
2. Terry Fox and his best friend faced challenges, prompting Fox’s younger brother to join the mission
On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox and his best friend, Doug Alward, launched the Marathon of Hope in St. John’s, but the physical strain of the run and the challenges of living together in a van led to some tension.
In May, Terry’s younger brother, Darrell Fox, who was 17 at the time, joined them in New Brunswick. He helped to alleviate the stress between the two friends by serving as a mediator.
3. He was discontented with certain media portrayals
Fox was very concerned about how he and the Marathon of Hope were depicted in the media. He felt frustrated when coverage failed to highlight the mission behind his run, especially when it concentrated on disputes with Alward or Darrell.
Before Terry became a household name, journalist Leslie Scrivener from the Toronto Star chronicled his journey in a weekly column titled Running with Terry. Her articles played a significant role in garnering public support, transforming what started as a cause many doubted into a national movement.
4. He refused to accept sponsorship funds for personal gain
Terry was adamant that the money raised during his run would fund cancer research. He was not interested in accepting sponsorship funds or personal financial assistance.
Nevertheless, organizations began to offer support in other ways. The Canadian Cancer Society employed a publicist named Bill Vigars, Ford provided a van, and Adidas supplied running shoes.
The public campaign also inspired music. Country artist Nancy Ryan recorded Run, Terry, Run, authored by Vern Kennedy, with proceeds directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Terry Fox, center, stands with best friend Doug Alward, left, and younger brother Darrell Fox, right, in front of the Van of Hope in White River, Ont., in August 1980. (Submitted by Darrell Fox)
5. He believed a car accident contributed to his cancer
At the age of 18, Terry was involved in a car accident that he thought might have caused or worsened the cancer in his right knee.
However, doctors informed him that there was no link between the accident and his osteosarcoma — a rare and aggressive type of bone cancer.
The pain he experienced after the incident was an initial symptom of the disease, which was diagnosed in 1977 and eventually resulted in the amputation of his right leg.
6. He found motivation in other children battling cancer
Terry’s time recuperating in the hospital, particularly witnessing other young patients succumb to cancer, significantly influenced his decision to run across Canada.
The documentary illustrates how Terry envisioned the Marathon of Hope as a means to provide hope to those impacted by cancer. His aim was to raise funds for research to ensure better treatment options for future patients.
7. He was not fond of visiting doctors and often avoided them
Terry Fox displayed determination and self-discipline, yet he did not look forward to medical appointments. The documentary portrays him as a young man who resisted seeing doctors, refusing to let his illness define him.
A scene from Run Terry Run shows Terry Fox reattaching his prosthetic leg at a roadside rest area in northern Ontario after swimming with friends in the summer of 1980. (Elevation Pictures)
8. He had a complex relationship with his prosthetic leg
As Terry lost weight during the run, wearing his prosthetic leg became increasingly challenging and painful. It no longer fit correctly, causing friction against his stump, and he needed to replace it. In one particularly tough instance, Terry became upset when someone pointed out blood running down his leg.
The documentary footage captures the escalating struggle between Terry’s changing physical condition and his unwavering commitment to continue running.
9. Quebec presented a challenging segment of the journey
Terry felt frustrated during his time in Quebec, where the language barrier complicated communication.
Many drivers were unaware of the Marathon of Hope and frequently pushed him off the road. Concerned for his safety, Alward and Darrell urged Terry to wear a safety vest, but he declined, wanting people to recognize his Marathon of Hope shirt.
Ontario posed a different challenge. By this time, public attention had become overwhelming. Terry was no longer just a young man running along the highway — he had become a national sensation.
Terry Fox, left, walks with 10-year-old Greg Scott in Terrace Bay, Ont., on August 27, 1980. Both had lost a leg to bone cancer. Scott traveled from Welland, Ont., to meet Fox during his marathon run. (Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
10. He could still have fun despite the seriousness of his mission
The footage also highlights Terry’s lighter side. He shares jokes with Darrell and Alward, engages in playful antics, and enjoys moments of joy.
The film features a particularly heartfelt scene where Terry connects with a young boy who had also undergone a leg amputation. This reveals that Terry Fox was still a 21-year-old capable of laughter, playfulness, and lightheartedness.
Director Sean Menard’s new documentary Run Terry Run shows previously unseen footage of Canadian icon and cancer research advocate Terry Fox. It also features new interviews with those who accompanied him on his marathon across the country, like Fox’s brother Darrell.
11. Darrell Fox was unaware his brother had gone to the hospital
On September 1, 1980, in Thunder Bay, Ont., Terry struggled to breathe and asked Alward to take him to the closest hospital. Darrell, who was traveling in a support vehicle behind them, initially thought it was just a routine stop. He did not realize that this would mark the end of the Marathon of Hope.
For 93 days, Darrell had been aware of his brother’s whereabouts almost every moment. Suddenly, his brother was absent. Upon reaching the hospital, Darrell learned that cancer had spread to Fox’s lungs.
At the hospital, Darrell recalls that the roles shifted unexpectedly. “It was Terry that was trying to comfort me,” he told CBC News. “He had already accepted it and was looking at the positive side — that this would only add more significance to what he had accomplished.”
“I think that defines who Terry Fox is, always thinking of others and not himself,” he added.
Terry Fox, seen during a speaking engagement for 2,000 supporters in Gravenhurst, Ont., on August 11, 1980, played a vital role in bringing cancer into public discourse during a time when it was rarely openly discussed. (Elevation Pictures)
Terry Fox’s enduring legacy
Terry passed away nine months later, in June 1981 at the age of 22, but the fundraising efforts he initiated continue across the globe. Annual Terry Fox runs, held in Canadian communities and schools each fall, have raised over $1 billion for cancer research.
Recognized with the Order of Canada at 22, Terry Fox remains a source of inspiration. His brother Darrell hopes that viewers of the new documentary will feel that following his brother’s example is within reach.
“Terry was just an average guy,” he stated. “But look at what he did. Look at what he achieved.”
Run Terry Run will be released in theaters on October 9.