A new documentary titled “Run Terry Run” has unveiled its trailer, showcasing never-before-seen footage of Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope. The documentary, set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month, utilizes nearly 100 reels of recently recovered archival footage to provide an intimate look at the journey of the British Columbia athlete and cancer research advocate.
The trailer highlights conversations and insights from key figures such as van driver Doug Alward, Terry Fox’s younger brother Darrell Fox, and Terry Fox himself, as he embarked on his cross-Canada run at the age of 21 following the amputation of his leg due to osteogenic sarcoma. In one poignant moment from the trailer, Fox expresses his thoughts on the journey, including his determination to reach Vancouver and complete his run by the ocean.
Director Sean Menard of Toronto uncovered the raw footage, originally captured by filmmaker John Simpson during Fox’s run, which includes multiple camera perspectives starting from the East Coast. Menard’s quest for this footage was driven by the scarcity of high-quality materials documenting Fox’s historic marathon. With the support of the Terry Fox Foundation, the footage was found in a storage unit in Toronto, meticulously restored to 4K quality, and used in the making of the documentary.
Unlike traditional documentaries featuring interviews, “Run Terry Run” employs voiceovers from key individuals like Alward, Darrell Fox, Leslie Scrivener, and Darryl Sittler, providing a unique storytelling approach. The film sheds light on Fox’s resilience and determination as he set out on his ambitious journey in 1980, aiming to run from St. John’s to Victoria before the cancer halted his progress near Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Although Fox tragically passed away in 1981, his legacy endures, with his Marathon of Hope raising over $24 million at the time, equivalent to $1 for every Canadian. The Terry Fox Foundation recently achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $1 billion in funds raised for cancer research, further solidifying Fox’s impact on the cause.
The documentary showcases the evolution of Fox as a 21-year-old, capturing his transformation from a hesitant runner driven by a grand vision to a young man navigating the global spotlight while pushing his physical and mental boundaries. Complemented by an original score by 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.