A new documentary titled “Run Terry Run” unveiled its trailer today, showcasing never-seen-before footage of Terry Fox’s iconic 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.
The trailer offers a glimpse into Fox’s journey as he attempted to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research after losing his leg to osteogenic sarcoma. Included in the footage are dialogues from key figures such as van driver Doug Alward, Fox’s brother Darrell Fox, and Fox himself expressing his determination to reach Vancouver and complete his mission.
Director Sean Menard of Toronto acquired the raw footage from filmmaker John Simpson, who had initially believed the footage was discarded. With the support of the Terry Fox Foundation, Menard restored the footage to 4K quality and crafted the documentary, which was first shown at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.
Unlike traditional documentaries, “Run Terry Run” avoids typical interviews and opts for voiceovers from individuals like Leslie Scrivener and Darryl Sittler, providing a unique perspective on Fox’s journey. The film showcases Fox’s resilience as he embarked on his marathon, aiming to run from St. John’s to Victoria before being halted near Thunder Bay due to cancer complications.
Despite Fox’s tragic passing in 1981, his legacy lives on through the Terry Fox Foundation, which recently surpassed $1 billion in funds raised for cancer research. Fox’s story has been the subject of various documentaries, with his image set to appear on Canada’s $5 banknote in 2024.
“Run Terry Run” captures the transformation of a 21-year-old Fox from a novice runner with a grand vision to a young man navigating the global spotlight and pushing his boundaries. The documentary features an original score by composer Tom Caffey and is slated to debut at TIFF on September 19, coinciding with the 46th annual Terry Fox Run, followed by a theatrical release on October 9, 2026.