The unveiling of a fresh documentary showcasing unseen footage of Terry Fox took place today, a month prior to its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Titled “Run Terry Run,” the film utilizes nearly 100 recently retrieved archival reels to provide an intimate portrayal of the 1980 Marathon of Hope undertaken by the British Columbia athlete and cancer research advocate.
The trailer includes conversations and insights from Doug Alward, the van driver and friend; Darrell Fox, Terry’s younger brother; and Terry Fox himself as he, at 21 years old, embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research following the amputation of his leg due to osteogenic sarcoma. In the trailer, Fox is heard expressing his thoughts about home and his determination to press on with his mission.
Director Sean Menard from Toronto obtained the original footage from filmmaker John Simpson, who documented Fox’s run with multiple camera operators from the East Coast. Menard’s quest was fueled by the scarcity of high-quality footage on Fox’s marathon, prompting him to partner with the Terry Fox Foundation in locating the footage in a Toronto storage unit near his residence. The film was crafted using the restored 4K reels, first showcased at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall last year.
The documentary, as reviewed by Canadian Running after an initial screening, abstains from traditional interview setups and instead relies on voiceovers from key figures such as Alward, Darrell Fox, Leslie Scrivener, the first journalist to cover the Marathon of Hope, and Darryl Sittler, the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs who ran alongside Terry.
Commencing on April 12, 1980, Fox’s marathon was a response to his cancer diagnosis three years earlier, with his initial target being to run from St. John’s to Victoria. Despite having to conclude the run near Thunder Bay, Ont., due to lung cancer, Fox’s endeavor raised over $24 million at the time, equivalent to a dollar per Canadian. The Terry Fox Foundation recently celebrated surpassing $1 billion raised for cancer research.
Various documentaries have previously highlighted Fox’s story, including “Terry Fox: I Had A Dream” and “Into the Wind.” In 2024, the Bank of Canada announced plans to feature Fox on the country’s upcoming $5 banknote.
Menard described his film as a portrayal of Fox’s transformation from a hesitant young runner with a grand vision to a poised individual managing international fame while challenging himself. The documentary’s original score was composed by Tom Caffey, known for his work on “The Last Dance,” a Netflix series on Michael Jordan.
“Run Terry Run” is set to premiere at TIFF on September 19, just ahead of the 46th annual Terry Fox Run, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 9, 2026.