Marathon of Memories

Three children and an adult participating in a Terry Fox Run in Lethbridge near the High Level Bridge. September 20, 1982. 

 Galt Museum & Archives, Lethbridge Herald Fonds

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. When he was nineteen years old, Terry’s right leg was amputated due to bone cancer. Once he went into remission, he decided he wanted to help others with cancer. He was inspired by the courage of the children and adults he met while he was in the cancer ward of the hospital. He also read about a runner who had recently run a marathon who, like him, had only one biological leg. Terry launched the “Marathon of Hope.”

Terry committed to running the length of a marathon (42.2 km or 26.2 miles) every day until he crossed Canada with the aim of raising funds for cancer research and raising awareness of the disease that affected people everywhere. The Marathon of Hope began in Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. Sadly, at the beginning of September 1980, the cancer had come out of remission and was affecting his lungs. He was forced to pause his Marathon of Hope. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981.

Terry’s efforts succeeded at raising both awareness and funds for research, but his story also inspired Canadians across the country. Lethbridge residents raised money and recruited friends and family to spread Terry’s message of hope, courage and willingness to try.

The first Terry Fox Fundraising Run was held in Lethbridge on September 14, 1980. After 40 years, Lethbridge residents continue to organize and participate in runs to raise funds. Terry requested that all funds raised through these runs go towards cancer research, so the runs are organized by local volunteers. As of 2020 Lethbridge run, organizers and participants have raised $470,850.

The exhibit Marathon of Memories: 40 Years of Terry Fox Runs in Lethbridge is on display now at the Galt Museum & Archives until February 21, 2021.