Home > Runs & Races

Canadians nationwide come together for annual Terry Fox Run

Tens of thousands of Canadians took part in the annual Terry Fox Run across the country today in honour of the national icon (photo: Tyler Black).

Terry Fox Run
September 18, 2016
Share on SMS

Check this out!Queen's Park in Toronto…take some photos and share. #terryfoxrun

A photo posted by The Terry Fox Foundation (@terryfoxfoundation) on

To date, more than $700 million has been raised for the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research.

Today, the annual Terry Fox Run was held across Canada as runners and walkers congregated in more than 9,000 communities. The run is held in honour of Terry Fox, who began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run, in 1980. Fox began on the East Coast and made it as far as Thunder Bay, Ont. but was forced to stop after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres.

Cancer spread to Fox’s lungs and he passed away on June 28, 1981 at 22. Fox did the Marathon of Hope on a prosthetic leg as his right leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. His goal for the Marathon of Hope was to raise $24 million for cancer awareness and research, a notable figure as it would require $1 from each Canadian at the time.

RELATED: Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope named best moment in B.C. sports history.

RELATED: Special Feature: Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope.

This year’s run in support of cancer research comes 35 years after the run was first held in 1981. The event is not timed and instead welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities to partake in a 5K event.

Many of the West Coast events began at 10 a.m. local time, the last of the Terry Fox Runs to go off across Canada. Though many communities held their runs on Sept. 18, there are others that held the event to honour the legacy of Terry Fox either before or after this weekend.

Millions of students also take part in Terry Fox Runs at their elementary and high schools. Select international cities have hosted or will host a 2016 Terry Fox Run including Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Hampshire, England, Lima, Peru and New York City among others.

Scenes from Terry Fox Runs across Canada

Happy Terry Fox Day! #terryfoxrun #terryfoxday

A photo posted by Joanne George (@smileytheblindtherapydog) on

These two peas in a pod ❤️ #terryfoxrun #terryfox #fathersonbonding #marathonofhope #myguys

A photo posted by Amanda Lumley (@amandalynnlumley) on

#terryfoxrun in #canmore Volunteering today and loving it. 🙂

A photo posted by @nancymruiz on

#terryfoxrun #stanleypark

A photo posted by Peter Pedram (@therealpedram) on

Got a photo or video from today’s Terry Fox Run? Submit it to tim@runningmagazine.ca and it will be added to this page.

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

Best trail running gear for spring 2024

Explore our favourite trail running gear for short trips and longer treks, from watches to gaiters