The unveiling of a fresh documentary on Terry Fox, showcasing exclusive footage, was made public today, a month ahead of its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Titled “Run Terry Run,” the documentary utilizes close to 100 reels of recently unearthed archival footage to provide an intimate portrayal of the 1980 Marathon of Hope undertaken by the British Columbia athlete and advocate for cancer research.
The trailer includes conversations and insights from Doug Alward, Terry Fox’s van driver and friend, Darrell Fox, Terry’s younger brother, and Terry Fox himself as he, at 21 years old, endeavored to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research following the amputation of his leg due to osteogenic sarcoma. In the trailer, Fox expresses thoughts about home and his determination to keep running towards Vancouver’s ocean for his finish line.
Toronto filmmaker Sean Menard recovered the original footage from filmmaker John Simpson, who documented Fox’s run with multiple camera operators from the East Coast. Menard’s quest was inspired by the limited availability of high-quality footage on Fox’s marathon, leading him to partner with the Terry Fox Foundation and uncover the footage in a Toronto storage unit near his residence. The recovered film reels were restored to 4K quality and used in the creation of the documentary, which was initially showcased at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall last year.
The documentary refrains from traditional “talking head” interviews, opting instead for voiceovers from 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 during a portion of the marathon.
Terry Fox commenced his run on April 12, 1980, three years post his cancer diagnosis, with the initial goal of running from St. John’s to Victoria. Despite having to halt his attempt near Thunder Bay, Ont., due to the cancer spreading to his lungs, Fox covered 5,373 kilometers. The marathon raised over $24 million at the time, equivalent to $1 from every Canadian. Recently, the Terry Fox Foundation announced surpassing $1 billion in raised funds for cancer research.
The endurance and legacy of Terry Fox have been captured in various documentaries over the years, with his image set to appear on Canada’s next $5 banknote in 2024. Menard’s documentary delves into Fox’s personal growth and adaptation to the international limelight, accompanied by an original score 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, just ahead of the 46th annual Terry Fox Run, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 9, 2026.