The Terry Fox Run: Honouring the Legend

11 October 2026Jim Ganley

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete and cancer activist who became a national hero through his attempt to run across Canada in order to raise money for cancer research. In 1980, after losing a leg due to bone cancer, Fox began the Marathon of Hope, running an average of 42 kilometres a day. He ran with a prosthetic leg and travelled from St. John’s, Newfoundland with the goal of reaching Victoria, British Columbia. After running nearly 5,000 kilometres, Fox was forced to stop near Thunder Bay, Ontario, when the cancer spread to his lungs. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 22, but his efforts inspired millions of people and he and his foundation have raised more than $1 billion for cancer research. To honour his legacy, many communities in Canada and around the world participate in an annual run to honour Terry, and everything he did.

Like many different global communities, Brentwood partakes in an autumn Terry Fox Run. Every September, on the first Sunday of the school year, the entire school lines up to run for Terry. The students walk, jog or sprint roughly five kilometers down Mill Bay Road, and the entire school participates – many with strollers, bikes and canine companions.

Many students enjoy the Terry Fox Run and consider it a great experience: “It represents an opportunity to push yourself just like Terry Fox,” said Nirav N, Rogers ‘27. “As a Canadian, I am honoured and proud to represent a national hero like Terry Fox” said Oliver B, Ellis ‘30.

The Terry Fox run is an important tradition at Brentwood. Since the entire school participates, it brings students from different grades, faculty and staff together for a shared event. For many students, especially those who are new to Brentwood, the run is one of the first major community events of the school year. It gives everyone a chance to participate together and start the year by supporting an important cause. “While Terry Fox is a national hero, his story’s power is its individualism; our school does well to honour a man of grit such as he was. In doing so, we are empowering our own community to be, in small ways, like Terry,” said Mr Toby Collis Handford when asked about the Terry Fox Run.

The Terry Fox Run is an important Brentwood tradition that brings the school community together while honouring Terry Fox’s legacy. It gives students a chance to support cancer research and remember the impact Terry Fox had on Canada.

Thanks to Ms Ramsay, Mr Szeryk, the Food Services staff, and all the student volunteers who helped organize this wonderful event.

SJ J, Ellis ‘28

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