Thousands join annual Terry Fox run in Toronto

Thousands of Torontonians gathered across the city on Sunday to run and celebrate the legacy of Terry Fox.

The 46th annual Terry Fox Run celebrates Fox's Marathon of Hope and his push to fundraise for cancer research, said Jonathan Selman, an organizer of the run at Toronto's Wilket Creek Park.

Over 260 community runs are occurring across Ontario Sunday, entirely organized by volunteers, Selman said.

"Terry is one of our greatest Canadian heroes, who ran 143 days on one good leg [running] a marathon a day," he said.

"We all grow up learning about Terry and his impact. He was an incredible — and possibly the greatest — Canadian athlete."

Selman said he hopes runs like this will advance Fox's mission to find a cure for cancer.

Participants write messages and names of loved ones on a banner at the Terry Fox Run in Wilket Creek Park, North York on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2026. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC)

Fox began his marathon April 12, 1980, roughly three years after learning of his cancer diagnosis. His original goal was to run from St. John's to Victoria. He made it 5,373 kilometres before being forced to cut his attempt short near Thunder Bay, Ont., after cancer spread to his lungs.

By the time Fox died in 1981, his Marathon of Hope had raised more than $24 million — $1 for every Canadian.

Earlier this year, the Terry Fox Foundation announced it had surpassed $1 billion in funds raised for cancer research.

Those funds came from families and teams donating anything from pennies to major donations over the years, said Selman.

"It's an incredible story of how Canada comes together every year."

Survivors, family, friends run to raise awareness

For 19-year-old cancer survivor and amputee Domenico Meleca, the run is a way for him to share his story with others.

He said he was diagnosed in 2023 with osteosarcoma, the same type of cancer Fox had, after he noticed pain in his ankle. Meleca said he began and completed treatment in 2024, which included amputating his right leg below the knee.

"Terry Fox got through it and that inspired me to get through it. If he can do it, then I can do it," he said.

Meleca said he'll continue to fundraise for cancer treatment to ensure other patients are able to get the help they need.

"Cancer research gets better over time the more it's funded and because of that I've been able to live a healthy life," he said.

"I'm nearly three years out of remission and I'm healthy and feeling good."

Domenico Meleca, 19, shared his story of beating cancer and the importance of fundraising for treatment at the pre-run event at the Terry Fox Run on Sunday, Sept. 18., 2026. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC)

Participant Kathleen Morris said the run is an annual tradition for her friends and family to honour the people in their lives impacted by cancer.

She said together they've been to at least 35 Terry Fox Runs over the years.

Anyone is welcome to run, walk, wheel, jog or attend the event in any capacity to be a part of Fox's mission, Morris said.

"It's more about being out here and being part of the community raising money for cancer research and honouring Terry Fox's legacy," she said.

Portuguese runner Catarina Fernandes said she joined her first Terry Fox Run on Sunday in memory of her father and stepfather, who both died from cancer.

"It's always important to remember them … and the fights they went through," she said. "It's important that we keep their smiles alive and do this for them."