There are some community traditions that mean a little more, and the annual Terry Fox Run is certainly one of them.
On the morning of Sunday, September 20, CAFE was proud to return to Canoe Landing Park in Toronto’s CityPlace neighbourhood to support another Terry Fox Run. As we do each year, our team arrived bright and early with plenty of fresh, hot CAFE coffee ready for runners, volunteers and anyone who stopped by to say hello.
It was an early start, but with an incredible cause, an enthusiastic crowd and coffee flowing, there was no shortage of energy in the park.
Starting the Morning with CAFE Coffee
As runners began arriving at Canoe Landing Park, many made the CAFE booth one of their first stops.
A hot cup of coffee was the perfect companion to a cool September morning, and our team was happy to keep everyone caffeinated as participants checked in, caught up with friends and prepared for the run ahead.
Soon, it was time to get moving. Participants gathered for a group warmup before organizers brought everyone together for a few encouraging words. With the crowd energized and ready to go, the Run officially began.
Six Loops, Five Kilometres and One Incredible Cause
This year’s CityPlace route took runners around Canoe Landing Park for a total of 5 kilometres, completed over six loops. Whether running, jogging or taking things at their own pace, participants shared the same purpose: carrying forward the legacy of Terry Fox and supporting cancer research.
Terry began his Marathon of Hope in 1980 with an extraordinary goal of running across Canada and raising money for cancer research. Although cancer forced him to end his journey after 143 days and more than 5,000 kilometres, the movement he started has continued for more than four decades.
Today, that legacy is bigger than ever. In February 2026, the Terry Fox Foundation announced that supporters inspired by Terry had collectively raised more than $1 billion for cancer research since the Marathon of Hope began.
And that impact continues every year. In 2025 alone, community Terry Fox Runs across Canada raised $13 million for cancer research.
Powered by Volunteers
The Terry Fox Run has always been a grassroots effort, and volunteers remain at the heart of it.
The Terry Fox Foundation has described its nationwide community as including more than 20,000 passionate volunteers, alongside millions of students and supporters participating in fundraising events across the country.
That community spirit was easy to see at Canoe Landing Park. From organizers and volunteers setting up in the early morning to the runners arriving ready to take on the course, everyone had a role to play. CAFE was happy to contribute in our own way, one hot cup of coffee at a time.
Crossing the Finish Line
After six loops around the park, runners crossed the finish line and returned to the gathering area, where the morning shifted from running back to community. Participants mingled, celebrated finishing their 5K and, of course, came back for another coffee.
For CAFE, returning to the Terry Fox Run each year is about much more than serving coffee.
Our stores are part of Toronto neighbourhoods, and we believe being a local business means showing up for the people, events and causes that bring those neighbourhoods together.
With our Fort York CAFE Dispensary just across the street from Canoe Landing Park, CityPlace is a community we’re especially proud to be part of. Seeing runners, volunteers, families and neighbours come together on an early Sunday morning for such an important cause is something we’re always grateful to experience.
Thank you to the organizers and volunteers who made this year’s CityPlace Terry Fox Run possible, to every participant who took on the 5K, and to everyone who stopped by the CAFE booth for a coffee and a chat.
