A new documentary called “Run Terry Run” has unveiled its trailer today, offering never-before-seen footage ahead of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month. The film delves into Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope using close to 100 reels of recently recovered archival footage.
Featuring insights from key individuals like van driver Doug Alward, Terry Fox’s brother Darrell Fox, and Terry Fox himself, the trailer captures the essence of Fox’s determination as he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research following his amputation due to osteogenic sarcoma.
Toronto director Sean Menard managed to salvage the raw footage from filmmaker John Simpson, who initially believed the footage had been discarded after producing his own documentary in 1981. With the support of the Terry Fox Foundation, Menard found the footage in a Toronto storage unit near his home and meticulously restored it to 4K quality for his film.
The documentary, devoid of traditional interviews, utilizes voiceovers from key figures like Alward, Darrell Fox, Leslie Scrivener, and Darryl Sittler, providing a unique perspective on Fox’s inspiring journey. The film showcases Fox’s resilience and determination during his Marathon of Hope, which commenced in 1980 and spanned over 5,000 kilometers before he was compelled to halt his endeavor near Thunder Bay, Ontario, due to the cancer’s progression.
Despite Fox’s passing in 1981, his legacy lives on through the over $24 million raised during his marathon, equivalent to a dollar from every Canadian at the time. Recently, the Terry Fox Foundation announced surpassing $1 billion in funds raised for cancer research. Fox’s story has been immortalized in various documentaries over the years, and in 2024, it was announced that his image would grace Canada’s $5 banknote.
“Run Terry Run” offers a fresh perspective on Fox’s journey, showcasing his growth from a young, ambitious runner with a grand vision to a mature individual navigating the global limelight while pushing his physical boundaries. The documentary features an original score by composer Tom Caffey and is set to premiere at TIFF on September 19, 2026, followed by a theatrical release on October 9, 2026.