Hundreds of thousands of Canadians from across the country lace up their sneakers Sunday for the 27th annual Terry Fox Run, to raise money for cancer research and honour the legendary hero.

Fox has become “a Canadian hero” after he started running across the country in order to raise funds for research in 1980. He was determined to draw public attention and persuade that cancer needs to be tackled more and should be properly financed; he himself was a victim of cancer.

Suffering from osteogenic sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, Fox, who was 18 at that time, had to have his right leg amputated from above the knee. He also demonstrated the abilities of an amputee ad the stamina that is necessary for cancer to be fought.

After 143 days in which he ran 42 kilometers (26 miles) per day, starting from St. John's, Nfld, he had to stop near Thunder Bay, as cancer spread to his lungs, causing his death when aged 22.

The first Terry Fox Run in 1981 attracted 300,000 participants and raised $3.5 million.

Since 1981, runs have been organized all across Canada to pay tribute to him and his dream and to try to accomplish it.

More than $400 million have been gathered from the annual event that involves running, walking or making the established distance by roller-blades.

The run is not competitive in any way as it promotes people getting together to raise money in the name of Terry. There is no entry fee to be a part this walk for cancer research. There are no prizes but participants get a certificate of appreciation if they complete.