Terrance Stanley Fox with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, embarked on an east to west cross-Canada marathon run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. It took 143 days and 5,373 kilometres raising $25,000 in the process before ultimately succumbing to cancer. His efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.
Fox ran with an unusual gait, as he was required to hop-step on his good leg due to the extra time the springs in his artificial leg required to reset after each step. He found the training painful as the additional pressure he had to place on both his good leg and his stump led to bone bruises, blisters and intense pain.