A new documentary titled “Run Terry Run” has unveiled its trailer today, offering never-before-seen footage of Terry Fox’s iconic 1980 Marathon of Hope. The documentary, set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month, showcases over 100 reels of recently discovered archival footage, providing an intimate glimpse into the journey of the British Columbia athlete and cancer research advocate.
Featuring insightful conversations with key figures such as van driver Doug Alward, Terry Fox’s brother Darrell Fox, and Terry Fox himself, the trailer captures poignant moments from Fox’s cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research following his leg amputation due to osteogenic sarcoma. In the trailer, Fox expresses his thoughts on running into Vancouver and his unwavering commitment to his cause.
The raw footage for the documentary was retrieved by Toronto director Sean Menard from filmmaker John Simpson, who had initially believed the remaining footage had been discarded. Menard, driven by the scarcity of quality footage on Fox’s marathon, located the reels in a Toronto storage unit, near his residence. After restoring the film to 4K quality, Menard screened his documentary at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto last year.
The documentary, as reviewed by Canadian Running, refrains from traditional “talking head” interviews and instead incorporates voiceovers from individuals like Alward, Darrell Fox, Leslie Scrivener, and Darryl Sittler, offering a unique storytelling approach.
Terry Fox initiated his epic run on April 12, 1980, aiming to traverse from St. John’s to Victoria but had to halt near Thunder Bay, Ontario, after covering 5,373 kilometers due to the spread of cancer to his lungs. Despite his untimely passing in 1981, Fox’s Marathon of Hope raised over $24 million at the time, equivalent to $1 per Canadian. Recently, the Terry Fox Foundation announced surpassing $1 billion in funds raised for cancer research.
Various documentaries have previously depicted Fox’s inspiring story, and in a notable tribute, the Bank of Canada announced in 2024 that Fox would be featured on the next $5 banknote. Menard’s documentary highlights Fox’s transformative journey, portraying him initially as a young and uncertain runner driven by a grand vision, evolving into a confident individual navigating the global limelight while pushing his boundaries.
Accompanied by an original score from composer Tom Caffey, known for his work on “The Last Dance,” the documentary “Run Terry Run” is set to premiere at TIFF on September 19, preceding the 46th annual Terry Fox Run. The film is slated for a theatrical release on October 9, 2026.