Terry Fox Memorial will honour Canadian icon’s inspirational marathon through Brampton

Artists can become a part of Terry Fox’s legacy with a new monument to the Canadian icon and the marathon that took him through Brampton more than 40 years ago.

It was 44 years ago on Wednesday when Fox’s Marathon of Hope came to Brampton on July 24, 1980.

The Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist ran through Brampton as part of his cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research after he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg in 1977.

Fox’s leg was amputated 15 cm above the knee. The diagnosis spurred Fox to begin his marathon with the goal of running across Canada to raise awareness and inform Canadians of the importance of finding a cure for cancer.

Now the city is looking for artists to help honour Fox’s life, work and memory with a memorial in Chinguacousy Park along the walking trail near the entrance of Terry Fox Stadium.

The Canada-wide competition is open to professional artists based across the country. The winning artist will “design, fabricate and install a memorial that captures the spirit and enduring legacy of Terry Fox,” the city says.

Shortlisted artists will be notified in writing and invited to submit a design proposal, receiving $1,500 as compensation for their work.

There are also plans to add educational elements to Brampton’s existing Terry Fox Stadium walking track, and educational panels to “create a more complete and meaningful commemoration project for residents and visitors to the park,” the city said in a report.

With plans to unveil the memorial next year on the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope in the fall of 2025, artist applications are open until Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.

Fox ran an average of 42 kilometres a day for more than 140 days during the Marathon of Hope until the cancer spread to his lungs, ending the marathon on Sept. 1, 1980 outside Thunder Bay.

More than 40 years after Fox was forced to end his marathon, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $850,000,000 for cancer research.

For more information on the Brampton Terry Fox Memorial or to apply visit www.Brampton.ca/publicart.