Marathon of Hope
 |
Terry Fox |
The
Marathon of Hope is a name given to the cross-
Canada run undertaken by cancer patient
Terry Fox in
1980. It is commemorated each year with the
Terry Fox Run which is an international event that raises money for cancer research.
The initial goal of the run was to raise $1 million to be used for cancer research. After running through
Port-Aux-Basques,
Newfoundland, Terry changed his goal from raising $1 million to raising $1 for each person in Canada ($25 million).
Beginning in Newfoundland Terry Fox was to run across the country ending on
Vancouver Island - a distance of 5,000 km (3,107 miles) at a pace of 42 km (26.1 miles) a day. Unfortunately, Terry Fox's cancer resurfaced while he was in
Northern Ontario, and he had to stop the run on
August 31 1980, ironically near the small village of
Marathon, Ontario.
The goal of the run was to raise money and awareness for cancer research. In order to get the Canadian Cancer Society to support him he had to get corporate sponsorship for the run.
Terry Fox sought no personal financial gain for his efforts. His run was also a 'true' run across Canada, not taking the fastest route, he made sure that he would pass by the most populous regions of the country.
Terry Fox began the marathon on a foggy
April 12,
1980 from
St. John's, Newfoundland. He started by dipping his artificial leg in the
Atlantic Ocean. The beginning of the run was marked with little fanfare; only one camera crew from the
CBC was there to witness his start. He was joined that first day by the mayor of St. John's, who ran for a portion of the marathon.
While running through
Gambo,
Newfoundland on April 21, Terry was quoted as saying:
"It was an exciting day in Gambo. People came and lined up and gave me ten, twenty bucks just like that. And that's when I knew that the Run had unlimited potential." Two weeks later while in
Port-Aux-Basques,
Newfoundland, Terry's idea of raising $1 for each person in Canada was born. In less than 2 hours, the community of 10,000 people, raised $10,000, equal to one dollar per person. Several weeks after Terry left Newfoundland, he found out that this total increased by another $4,000.
 |
Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope Route |
On June 10th Terry entered the Province of
Quebec. Still largely unknown, he found it difficult as many drivers simply honked their horns or nearly ran him off the road. As he made his way to Montreal, he garnered more attention from the media and the general public.
By the time Terry finally reached
Toronto, he had become a media sensation. The streets of the city were lined with thousands of supporters, and a public rally at
Toronto City Hall had a crowd of over 10,000. His achievements also began to gain international attention. He was interviewed (while running) by the then popular American current events show
That's Incredible!.
On September 1st 1980 the run stops as he neared Marathon Ontario, just outside of
Thunder Bay. Poor breathing prevented him running further. Terry visited a local hospital, where he discovered that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Due to his poor health, from both the return of the cancer and the grueling pace of his running, he had to stop his journey across Canada. By this point he had ran for 143 consecutive days totalling 5,373 kms.
He returned to
British Columbia for further medical treatment. While in hospital, Terry received a telegram from Four Seasons hotel executive
Isadore Sharp (who had recently lost his own son to cancer) telling him that his Marathon of Hope would be continued in his honour with an annual run, and that they would not stop until Terry's dream of beating cancer was realized.
Today a life sized bronze statue of Terry Fox in motion marks the spot along the
Trans-Canada Highway where he had to end his run.
*
Terry Fox Run*
Terry Fox*
Terry Fox Run Site*
CBC Archives: television and radio spots on Terry Fox*
CBC Archives: The Legacy of Terry Fox - 25 Years Later
