“To me – I’m happy doing what I’m doing.” Elevation Pictures in Canada has revealed the official trailer for a documentary film titled Run Terry Run, which is premiering at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival coming up soon. A behind-the-scenes look at Terry Fox’s legendary 1980 Marathon of Hope. This is a very Canadian story, but with marathons being uber-popular nowadays, it’s a story that has universal appeal with everyone no matter where they’re from. This intimate and inspiring portrait from filmmaker Sean Menard draws upon never-before-seen footage to reveal the arduous process and profound commitment behind Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope to raise awareness and money for cancer research. In 1980, 21-year-old Terrance Stanley Fox set out from St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador and ran for 143 days. He sadly passed away months later after finishing his journey, but his determination still inspires. The doc reveals the vulnerable human being behind the great Canadian icon. Drawing upon never-before-seen footage, Run Terry Run walks us through the arduous process and profound commitment that fostered Terry Fox’s magisterial Marathon of Hope (plus its continuation today – Terry Fox Run which still takes place all over the world). Take a look.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Sean Menard’s doc Run Terry Run, direct from YouTube:
Via TIFF: “It’s a story every Canadian child learns at school: in April 1980, 21-year-old Terrance Stanley Fox set out from St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, to raise awareness & funding for cancer research. Having an amputated right leg due to osteosarcoma, Fox was forced to use a poorly fitted, off-the-shelf artificial limb (advanced running prosthetics did not yet exist). Nevertheless, over 143 days, he ran a full marathon every day, traversing more than 5,000 kilometres. Fox made it all the way to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where unfortunately, the cancer had spread to his lungs, forcing him to stop. Fox died ten months later. Every year since, the Terry Fox Run honours his legacy and inspires millions of participants, now in upwards of 60 countries, to continue running for the cause. Illness robbed Fox of many aspects of his youth but, in return, it gave him preternatural wisdom — a vision of what it takes to enact real change. In an era marked by stark divisions, Fox’s activism unites us with that most durable of all resources: hope.”
Run Terry Run is a documentary film directed by Canadian doc filmmaker Sean Menard, director of the films Fight Mom, The Carter Effect, and 299 Queen Street West, and the series “The Sneaker Boom” & “Sole Origins” previously. Produced by Sean Menard and Molly Ye. This is premiering soon at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival this fall as a Centerpiece Gala premiere. Elevation Pictures will then debut Run Terry Run in Canadian cinemas starting October 9th, 2026 this fall. No US release is set yet. Who wants to watch this?
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