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Terry Fox and Fred Walker, face to face

Broadcast Date: July 27, 1980

CBC Radio's Sound of Sports is one of the few media outlets to have followed Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope since it began more than three months ago. Terry's goal of running from the Atlantic to the Pacific is nearly half over, but this week marked a first for Sound of Sports host Fred Walker.

After dozens of telephone interviews, he finally gets to meet Terry Fox face to face. It's a chance to recap Terry's amazing story, and wish Terry a happy 22nd birthday.

Follow Terry's progress with Terry Fox 25: Reliving the Marathon of Hope

Terry Fox and Fred Walker, face to face

• Terry Fox celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 28, 1980, the day after this clip aired. He was in Gravenhurst, Ont. Though it was raining when Terry ran into town, crowds of people turned out to sing Happy Birthday to him on every corner.

• Always practical jokers, Terry's friends discussed having his brother Darrell throw a whipped-cream cake at Terry upon arrival at the Holiday Inn. They changed their minds, thinking Terry might not be in the mood, and Darrell handed the cake to Terry instead. Terry immediately threw it at Darrell and flung remaining pieces at the rest of his crew.

• Terry's birthday breakfast was Black Forest cake and Coke at the Holiday Inn. He refused to take the day off, but trimmed his run to 20 miles (32 kilometres) instead of the usual 26 (42 kilometres).
• For dinner Terry was invited to visit the minimum-security Beaver Creek Correctional Camp, a federal penitentiary where inmates had raised $900 for the Marathon of Hope by holding a car wash and barbecue.

• After dinner, Terry visited the Gravenhurst Civic Centre. He was greeted by 2,000 people singing Happy Birthday, and given telegrams from across the country. Among his gifts: a new artificial leg, a Playboy magazine, and a toilet seat inscribed "To a good shit." Terry put his face in it and posed for photos, to the mild displeasure of the Canadian Cancer Society.
• To Terry's delight, the town of Gravenhurst raised $14,000; almost two dollars per resident.

• As mentioned in this clip, Terry Fox took every opportunity to speak with the public or the media. In his book Terry, Douglas Coupland writes, "Most people who work in the media and who look at how Terry dealt with the press say they have no idea how he possibly could have done it. Even minus his marathon exertions, his press efforts alone would have taxed even the most seasoned politician or movie star."

Also on July 27:
• 1940: Billboard Magazine publishes its first singles records chart. The top song is "I'll Never Smile Again” by Tommy Dorsey, written by Canadian Ruth Lowe after the death of her first husband. It stays in the number one spot for 12 weeks.
• 1960: Canadian army units are formed for service in the Congo on behalf of the United Nations. The Blue Berets depart for Africa in August.

• 1996: Rowers Marnie McBean of Toronto and Kathleen Heddle of Vancouver become the first Canadians to win three Olympic gold medals. Later the same day, sprinter Donovan Bailey of Oakville, Ont. wins the men's 100 metres in world-record time.

Terry Fox and Fred Walker, face to face

Medium: Radio

Program: Sound of Sports

Broadcast Date: July 27, 1980

Guest(s): Terry Fox

Host: Fred Walker

Duration: 4:28

Last updated:
March 7, 2008