Earlier today, the City of London and Terry Fox Run London unveiled a plaque to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox running through London as part of the Marathon of Hope.
Located at the south side of the Victoria Park bandshell, the new plaque is a reminder of Terry’s fight to end cancer through his historical run, which continues to touch the hearts of so many Londoners.
While 2020 marked the 40th anniversary of Terry’s arrival in London, a formal unveiling of the plaque could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City and Terry Fox Run London were excited to unveil this plaque one year later on the 41st anniversary of his arrival to the Forest City.
Terry's route through London is marked by 38 custom signs along the road, located from the eastern city limits along Dundas Street to Richmond Street and north along Richmond Street. These signs were installed by the City last year as part of the 40th anniversary.
“I met Terry, and my memories of him are vivid. He was fiercely passionate and deeply caring. Terry Fox will forever be remembered as one of our greatest Canadians,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “We want Terry to know we will continue his battle until cancer is conquered. When Londoners pass by the signs installed across Terry’s London route as well as this plaque, they will be reminded of his greatness.”
Bill Vigars, Terry’s publicist for the Marathon of Hope in 1980 and Lorilee Calhoun, daughter of Ron Calhoun, who coined the phrase "Marathon of Hope" and was the national coordinator of Terry Fox's historic run, were both in attendance at today’s unveiling. Also in attendance were several members of the Terry Fox Run London organizing committee.
“Since Terry’s historic run through London 41 years ago, almost $10 million has been raised city-wide in London for cancer research in the annual Terry Fox Runs held in his memory,” says Pete Ferguson of Terry Fox Run London. “Terry’s legacy continues to connect us, and the street signage and plaque are a small gesture of appreciation for Terry, his legacy, his foundation and all the volunteers and participants of the Terry Fox Run.”
Running the equivalent of a full 42-kilometre marathon every day, Terry arrived in the Forest City on Thursday, July 17, 1980. Thousands of onlookers lined the streets, greeting him with an outpouring of emotion, admiration and donations.
Having entered London from the eastern city limits, Terry ran along Dundas Street to Richmond Street and then turned northward. He finished that day's marathon in Victoria Park, where he saw one of the largest crowds of his entire journey.
Speaking from the Victoria Park bandshell in an emotional speech, Terry told thousands of Londoners about his own battle with cancer and the importance of funding research.
Terry travelled more than 5,300 kilometres across six provinces before cancer spread to his lungs and forced him to cut the run short. Ten months later, the disease took his life.
Since then, the Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist’s legacy has grown to include Terry Fox Runs around the world, raising hundreds of millions of dollars to fight cancer.
Residents can learn more about local initiatives by following the Terry Fox Run London Facebook and Instagram.
Mayor Ed Holder and Terry Fox Run London unveil a plaque to commemorate the 40th anniversary that Terry Fox ran through London for the Marathon of Hope.
38 street signs identifying the route Terry took through London during his Marathon of Hope on July 17, 1980, can be seen from the eastern city limits along Dundas Street to Richmond Street and north along Richmond Street.
Terry Fox speaking to a crowd of Londoners from the Victoria Park bandshell in London, Ontario on July 17, 1980, as part of his Marathon of Hope (Photo courtesy of Grace Coutinho).