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Today, if you happen to be traveling down the Trans-Canada Highway near Thunder Bay, Ont., you will find a statue of a Canadian hero: Terry Fox.
At 18 years of age, Terry Fox, named athlete of the year of his grade 12 class, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, an aggressive malignant type of bone cancer affecting his leg. Extensive chemotherapy failed to combat this disease, and one leg was amputated.
Through the tragic loss of his limb and months of treatment, Terry Fox was driven to find a more successful cure. He decided to do something crazy enough to capture the attention of a nation. He would run 7,476 kilometers (4,645 miles) from the east coast of Canada to the west coast along the Trans Canada Highway—to raise $24 million ($1 for every Canadian) for cancer research. A courageous effort for anyone with two healthy legs, Fox would run it with one prosthetic leg.
On April 12, 1980, after months of training, Terry Fox dipped his prosthetic leg into the frigid Atlantic Ocean and started his “Marathon of Hope.” A cold, bitter wind, heavy rain, and only a few loyal spectators witnessed his start. Any one of us might have already called it quits, but he pressed on.
When major news networks carried his story, the entire nation was captivated by this solitary figure awkwardly running on the side of the highway—through snow, sleet, wind, and later, intense heat. He traveled 42 kilometers (26 miles) a day regardless of the weather. Blisters, bruises, and intense pain were his constant companions. His prosthetic leg gave him a lumbering “hop-skip” gait, making his run even more difficult. Soon, the whole nation hailed him a hero.
However, Terry Fox lived with intensity—a good trait for a marathon runner, but it made him impatient and quarrelsome. Fearing his sharp retort, his companions hesitated to disagree with him, and several left him mid-journey. He bristled at news reporters when they reported about his personal life. He particularly hated it when people underestimated his ability to do the run.
And then suddenly, it was over. On Sept. 1, 1980, after running 143 days and 5,373 kilometers, the cancer was back. This time attacking his lungs. Near Thunder Bay, Ont., Terry Fox ended his Marathon of Hope—halfway through his journey. He died nine months later, on June 28, 1981.
Terry Fox was impatient, angry, strong-headed, and short-tempered; yet despite all that, he was able to raise $1 for every Canadian, totaling $24 million, for cancer research.
He became a national hero, and Canadians mourned when he died.
The apostle Paul also traveled long distances—over 10,000 miles—most of it done on foot. Fourteen churches were established during his three missionary journeys. What a marathon! However, Saint Paul wasn’t always “saintly.” At one point he had a strong disagreement with Barnabas over who should accompany them on their next missionary journey. Barnabas wanted John Mark to join them, but Paul adamantly disagreed, as John Mark had abandoned them on their first trip. Their quarrel was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas traveled with John Mark, while Paul travelled with Silas. However, God used that quarrel for good. Now there were two teams traveling the known world, getting twice as much done.
What would have happened if Terry Fox had quit his Marathon of Hope because of physical pain, extreme weather, or bitter conflicts with his companions? What would have happened if Paul had quit after the many difficulties and quarrels he faced? Thankfully neither did.
The Christian faith is often compared to running a race. The journey can be long and filled with sorrow, difficulties, and at times sharp infighting. We might even decide to part ways with our fellow believers. However, it is in these times that God is still at work, working all things out for our good. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to continue this marathon of hope. To “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”