Terry Fox’s brother reflects on his legacy as run returns to Confederation Bridge

Terry Fox's brother Fred talks about marking the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope and its return to the Confederation Bridge.

After a decade-long break, the Terry Fox Run is returning to the Confederation Bridge in September for the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope.

Participants will be able to cross from New Brunswick and P.E.I. on foot over the Confederation Bridge.

The Terry Fox Run first took place over the 13-kilometre bridge in 2005.

Fred Fox, Terry Fox’s older brother, remembers when Terry told him he was going to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

“My reaction, being only a year older than Terry, and watching Terry and growing up with him and seeing how he committed to himself, was, ‘Good for you Terry, we’ll see you when you get back,’” said Fred.

After losing his right leg to cancer when he was 18, Terry Fox decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research.

Terry Fox began his cross-Canada Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, in St. John’s, N.L.

He went on to run 5,373 kilometres in 143 days, but was forced to stop outside Thunder Bay, Ont., on Sept. 1, 1980, when doctors confirmed his cancer had spread to his lungs.

He died less than a year later, one month before his 23rd birthday.

“When the very first Terry Fox Run started happening in 1981 and into the early 80s, our parents were told to expect the Terry Fox Run to end very soon, that people will forget what Terry did in 1980,” Fred said.

But it was Terry’s honesty, integrity and purpose for running that kept the Marathon of Hope alive, Fred said.

“He was so happy to be able to run one province in one day,” Fred said about Terry running through P.E.I.

The Terry Fox Run over the Confederation Bridge took place every five years but had to be put on hold in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s an amazing event,” Fred said. “I think it’s a great opportunity not only for people to get back on the bridge – you can’t do that very often – but to be there to raise money for cancer research and continuing Terry’s dream.”

The Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and P.E.I. will be closed to vehicle traffic between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. to make way for runners and walkers.

Every year, participants and volunteers in about 600 communities across Canada take part in the Terry Fox Run.

People can register for the Confederation Bridge Terry Fox Run, purchase merchandise and fundraise for cancer research at terryfox.org.

To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $950 million and paid for more than 1,300 cancer research projects.

With files from The Canadian Press

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