TORONTO, Ont. – The perseverance of Terry Fox will be honoured Sunday, with thousands of runners and walkers set to pound the pavement to carry on the legacy of Fox, one of the most prominent and beloved cancer research advocates in Canadian history.

Dozens of runs are being held across Ontario, with more than 12 major runs planned in Toronto alone, as the marathon of hope is continued on by others, just as Fox had hoped.

“Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue.” said Fox in July 1980.

One of the largest gatherings is expected at Wilket Creek Park, near Eglinton Avenue and Leslie Street, where run organizer Jonathon Fellman says they’re expecting up to 4,000 people.

“We have many survivors that are coming, and we actually have a red shirt brigade, where all the survivors wear red shirts, so it’s a sea of red across the crowd,” Fellman said.

The memory of Fox and the fight against cancer brings together people from all walks of life, according to Fellman.

“We tend to get a big mix of everyone from the seniors that saw Terry run 31-years-ago, and everyone is really excited to celebrate his memory,” Fellman said.

Fox set out to run across the Country in 1980 after being diagnosed with bone cancer and having to have his right leg amputated above the knee at only 18-years-old.

He ran the equivalent of a marathon a day on a prosthetic leg for 143 days, all to raise hope and money for cancer research.

His journey was eventually cut short when the cancer spread to his lungs, forcing him to abandon his quest just outside of Thunder Bay.

Fox eventually died at the age of 22, but not before he inspired a nation.

To date more than $550 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name.

Last year alone Canadians raised $28 million for cancer research by participating in at least 800 Terry Fox Runs and 9,000 school events.

A complete list of runs can be found at the Terry Fox Foundation website.

Some of the major runs around the GTA Sunday include:

Morningside Park: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Woodbine Bathing Change House: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Central YMCA: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Toronto Garrison (Closed to public): 8 a.m.

High Park: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mooredale House Car Park: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Gibson/Rose Garden Park: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Upper Canada College: 9 a.m.

West Hill: 9 a.m.

Wilket Creek Park: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

York University: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Seneca College: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

West Deane Park (Etobicoke): 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Heydenshore Pavillion (Whitby): 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Storie Park (Oshawa): 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Meadowvale Community Centre (Mississauga): 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Streetsville Memorial Park (Mississauga): 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Port Credit Harbour (Mississauga): 9:15 a.m.

The Band Office (Mississauga): 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mill Pond Park (Richmond Hill): 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Terry Fox Public School (Brampton): 8:20 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Beachway Park Comfort Station (Burlington): 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m.

Pickering Recreation Complex (Pickering): 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ajax Rotary Park (Ajax): 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.