Terry Fox Run

Join the Terry Fox Run charity race on September 20 at Jarun

Zagreb, September 1, 2026 – The Terry Fox Run is the world’s best-known charity run, taking place for the 46th time globally and for the 27th consecutive year in Croatia. This year’s Zagreb edition, scheduled for September 20 at Jarun, will once again bring together people of goodwill who want to continue Terry’s mission and take another step toward making his dream of a world without cancer a reality. This year, the funds raised will once again be donated to the Ruđer Bošković Institute to support research into new models for the early detection and treatment of lobular breast cancer.

“Terry Fox was just 21 years old when he began his Marathon of Hope in 1980, after already having spent three difficult years battling malignant bone cancer. His courageous vision was to run across Canada, and that initiative grew into a global phenomenon that inspired millions of people. Croatia embraced this noble cause many years ago, and this year we will once again gather in Zagreb for the 27th time. Only through our collective efforts can we do good and complete what Terry started. Let’s FINISH IT!” said H.E. Jessica Blitt, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Croatia.

Terry ran 5,373 kilometres from April 12 until September 1, 1980, when he was forced to stop due to his deteriorating health. Before his death on June 28, 1981, e had achieved something unimaginable – he had sparked an unstoppable wave of support around the world.

Let us be part of that wave of kindness and solidarity and come together for the race, which will start on Sunday, September 20, at Jarun, on the basketball court next to the Small Lake.

The charity campaign will begin with the traditional sale of Terry Fox Run T-shirts on Saturday, September 12, at Centar Cvjetni, as well as at City Center one East and West shopping centres from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. T-shirts will be available in exchange for a minimum donation of €15 and can be purchased while supplies last. They can also be ordered via the Facebook page {“fallbackMarkdown”:”www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia”,”reference”:{“matched_text”:””,”prefix”:null,”start_idx”:2369,”end_idx”:2437,”safe_urls”:[],”refs”:[],”alt”:”www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia”,”prompt_text”:”www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia”,”type”:”url”,”item”:{“title”:”www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia”,”url”:”http://www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”attribution”:”facebook.com”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:null,”attribution_segments”:null,”supporting_websites”:null,”refs”:[],”hue”:null,”attributions”:null},”logo”:null,”title”:”www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia”,”layout”:null},”showLoginRequiredCard”:false} and purchased on the day of the race.

“Terry began the Marathon of Hope with the deep conviction that one day we would complete his journey and win the fight against cancer. That hope continues to drive us today, while the slogan ‘Finish it!’ best captures what has brought us together in Croatia for the 27th time.

Thanks to donations for research, scientists and doctors are gaining a better understanding of the disease, developing life-saving treatments and opening up possibilities that were once unimaginable. Research gives meaning to every step we take because it brings us closer to the moment when we will be able to say that the goal has been achieved.

“We invite everyone to get involved by purchasing a T-shirt, making a donation and joining us at Jarun, becoming part of this inspiring story through their participation. Every gesture of support, whether from an individual or a company, is an important step toward completing Terry’s journey. I believe that this year, too, the strength of the community, volunteers, donors and partners will come together so that we can move closer to the moment when we will be able to say – We finished it!” said Illeana Cesarec, Management Board Member of MPG.

To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $850 million for cancer research worldwide, and Croatia has played a significant role, with nearly €1 million in donations raised over the years.

This year’s donation will be presented to the Ruđer Bošković Institute to support research into new models for the early detection and treatment of lobular breast cancer, one of the most common yet insufficiently recognized forms of the disease.

This type of cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage because it does not produce typical symptoms and can be difficult to detect using conventional methods. That is precisely why investment in scientific research is crucial: it enables a better understanding of tumour biology, the development of more precise diagnostic tools and new therapeutic approaches that can provide patients with more effective treatment and a better quality of life.

“I would like to thank the organizers and sponsors of the Terry Fox Run charity campaign, and above all the citizens who will take part in the Marathon of Hope. The donated funds will support continued cancer research at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, within our Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer.

This campaign confirms that the efforts and dedication of our scientists are recognized by citizens, which is extremely important to us. I believe this will provide a strong incentive for our researchers to continue working tirelessly to find new solutions in the fight against cancer, while also inspiring us to continue building a bridge between science and the community we serve.” said Dr. David M. Smith, Director of the Ruđer Bošković Institute.

The Croatian edition of the Terry Fox Run is organized by MPG, the Croatian League Against Cancer and the Embassy of Canada, in co-organization with the City of Zagreb, and in cooperation with Esplanade Zagreb Hotel and the agencies envy and Zebra komunikacije. The event is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, the Mayor of the City of Zagreb, and the “Dr. Andrija Štampar” Teaching Institute of Public Health.

More information about the 27th Terry Fox Run in Croatia, including how to participate and donate, can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/TFRCroatia.

PRESS RELEASE
Zagreb, September 10, 2026