how old was terry fox when he ran
Terry Fox was 21 years old when he began his iconic Marathon of Hope run across Canada in 1980.
Quick Facts on His Age and Run
Born July 28, 1958, Terry Fox turned 22 just two months after starting his journey on April 12, 1980, from St. John's, Newfoundland. He ran nearly a marathon distance daily—about 42 km—despite having his right leg amputated above the knee three years earlier due to osteosarcoma diagnosed at age 18. The run covered 5,373 km over 143 days until cancer spread to his lungs, forcing him to stop near Thunder Bay, Ontario, on September 1, 1980.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- 1977 (Age 18): Diagnosed with bone cancer; leg amputated.
- 1979 (Age 21): Trained rigorously, completing a full marathon.
- April 12, 1980 (Age 21): Marathon of Hope begins.
- June 28, 1981 (Age 22): Passed away after cancer recurrence.
Why His Story Inspires
Terry's determination turned a personal battle into a national movement, raising awareness and funds for cancer research—over C$900 million through annual Terry Fox Runs worldwide as of 2024. Imagine a young athlete, prosthetic leg in tow, logging marathon after marathon through rain, wind, and hills, all to help kids like those he saw suffering in hospital. His legacy endures in events held every September, proving one person's grit can spark global change.
TL;DR: Terry Fox was 21 at the start of his 1980 run, reaching 22 by its tragic end.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.