The preview for a fresh documentary on Terry Fox, showcasing never-before-viewed footage, was unveiled today, a month ahead of its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Titled “Run Terry Run,” the documentary offers an exclusive glimpse into the 1980 Marathon of Hope undertaken by the British Columbia athlete and cancer research advocate, using nearly 100 newly retrieved archival reels.
The trailer includes conversations and insights from Terry Fox himself, his younger brother Darrell Fox, and van driver and friend Doug Alward, as the 21-year-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 can be heard expressing his thoughts about reaching Vancouver and the ocean, emphasizing his contentment with his mission.
Toronto filmmaker Sean Menard acquired the original footage from director John Simpson, who documented Fox’s journey with multiple camera operators from the East Coast. Menard’s quest for authentic documentation of Fox’s marathon, supported by the Terry Fox Foundation, led him to uncover the footage in a Toronto storage unit near his residence. He meticulously restored the film reels to 4K quality to create his documentary, which premiered at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto last year.
The documentary, as reviewed by Canadian Running, stands out for its approach of utilizing voiceovers from key figures like Alward, Darrell Fox, Leslie Scrivener (the first journalist to cover the Marathon of Hope), and Darryl Sittler (former Toronto Maple Leafs captain who ran alongside Terry).
Terry Fox commenced his marathon on April 12, 1980, after battling cancer for three years, intending to run from St. John’s to Victoria. Despite having to halt his journey near Thunder Bay, Ontario, due to the spread of cancer to his lungs, Fox’s initiative raised over $24 million at the time, with the Terry Fox Foundation recently surpassing $1 billion in funds for cancer research.
Fox has been the subject of various documentaries in the past, with his legacy further honored by the Bank of Canada featuring his image on the upcoming $5 banknote. Menard’s documentary portrays Fox’s growth from a determined yet uncertain young runner to a figure navigating the global limelight while challenging his boundaries.
The film’s musical score was crafted by U.S. composer Tom Caffey, known for his work on the Michael Jordan Netflix series “The Last Dance.” “Run Terry Run” is set to premiere at TIFF on September 19, preceding the 46th annual Terry Fox Run, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 9, 2026.