Gourt Home::Gourt :: Marathon of Hope
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 gains (fame or fortune) 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.
The run begins
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.
The run enters Central Canada
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.
Into Toronto
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!.
The run ends
Cancer returned in Terry Fox when he neared Marathon Ontario, just outside of Thunder Bay. Terry visited a local hospital, where he discovered that the cancer had spread. 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. 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.
See also
External Links
"Marathon of Hope"