Terry Fox was the youngest person ever named a Companion of the Order of Canada and was awarded the 1980 Lou Marsh Award as the nation’s top sportsman. Widely regarded as a national hero, he has been honoured across the country with numerous buildings, statues, roads, and parks named after him.
I chose a close-up portrait of Terry Fox as the central subject of the piece. His youthful face radiates vitality, and his curly hair seems to shimmer with the light of youth. His eyes are bright and focused—his firm gaze reflecting his inner strength and willpower. The slight smile at the corner of his mouth conveys his positive and optimistic spirit.
To the right of the portrait, I included an image of Fox running during the Marathon of Hope. His strides are heavy, his body clearly in pain, yet his perseverance is deeply moving and inspiring.
On the left side of the picture, I depicted his prosthetic leg—a crucial support for his body, a tool that helped him pursue his dream, and a powerful symbol of courage and perseverance.
In the background, a road stretches vertically, representing the path Fox ran—a road that stands for determination, struggle, and hope. A red line runs horizontally across the image from left to right, tracing the route of his marathon through the eastern provinces of Canada. The line appears winding and uneven, symbolizing a journey full of obstacles and aspirations.
This is not just a physical path—it represents the road of growth and life that each of us must travel, filled with trials, resilience, and hope.
I used watercolor to capture the facial details of the portrait, aiming to realistically portray the true appearance of a hero. The red shirt contrasts vividly with the green background. The large expanse of green represents the landscapes along the Marathon of Hope. Green is also a color symbolizing vitality and hope, which reflects both the journey and the spirit of Terry Fox.
At the bottom of the piece, I included a meaningful slogan— “To try and help others.” This, I believe, is the essence of what made Fox a hero. His legacy reminds us that, in a way, everyone is running their own marathon. Along the way, we encounter beautiful scenery, the support of family and friends, and the inevitable challenges and setbacks. But with courage, we overcome these obstacles and move forward—step by step. By doing our best to help others, we not only grow ourselves but also pass on strength and confidence to those around us.
