A new documentary titled “Run Terry Run” has unveiled its trailer today, offering viewers a glimpse into the 1980 Marathon of Hope by Terry Fox. The documentary showcases unseen footage recovered from nearly 100 reels of archival material, providing an intimate portrayal of the inspirational journey undertaken by the British Columbia athlete and cancer research advocate. The trailer includes insights from key figures such as van driver Doug Alward, Terry Fox’s brother Darrell Fox, and Terry Fox himself as he embarked on his cross-Canada run at the age of 21 to raise funds for cancer research following the amputation of his leg due to osteogenic sarcoma.
Director Sean Menard from Toronto obtained the raw footage from filmmaker John Simpson, who had initially believed the footage was lost. Menard’s quest, supported by the Terry Fox Foundation, led to the discovery of the film in a storage unit in Toronto. The footage was meticulously restored to 4K quality for the production of the documentary, which was first screened at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto last year.
The documentary, as reviewed by Canadian Running, avoids traditional interviews and instead relies on voiceovers from key individuals like Alward, Darrell Fox, Leslie Scrivener, and Darryl Sittler, providing a unique perspective on Terry Fox’s remarkable story.
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope began in 1980, culminating in a journey of over 5,000 kilometers before he was compelled to halt his run near Thunder Bay due to the spread of cancer to his lungs. Despite his untimely passing in 1981, Fox’s marathon raised over $24 million at the time, with the Terry Fox Foundation recently surpassing $1 billion in funds raised for cancer research. Fox’s enduring legacy has been the subject of various documentaries over the years, with his image slated to appear on Canada’s $5 banknote in 2024.
Menard’s documentary captures the transformation of a young Fox from a novice runner motivated by a grand vision to a confident individual navigating the global spotlight while pushing his boundaries. Accompanied by an original score from composer Tom Caffey, known for his work on projects like “The Last Dance,” “Run Terry Run” is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 19, ahead of its theatrical release on October 9, 2026.