adidas Terry Fox Collection Celebrates the Marathon of Hope's 40th Anniversary
OG Orions and t-shirts, with proceeds going to the Terry Fox Foundation to support cancer research.
adidas Originals is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s inspiring Marathon of Hope with a special collection of footwear and T-shirts. Back in 1980, a 21-year-old Fox — who had previously lost a leg to cancer — was set to embark on an east-to-west run across Canada to raise cancer awareness. He sent a letter to adidas requesting a footwear sponsorship for the grueling cross-country journey and the Trefoil responded with 26 pairs of the Orion, a classic running shoe that’s set to re-release as the center of the collection.
Although Fox never finished his run due to the heart-wrenching return of his cancer, he made it a whopping 3,339 miles, inspired millions and raised $1.7 million dollars in charitable donations to continue the fight against the deadly disease. Due to his tremendous bravery and dedication to his cause, Fox is a Canadian folk hero and this collection’s offerings are packed full of deep meaning.
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
True-to-the-original Orions modeled after the pair worn by Fox are dressed in navy with white Three Stripe branding and heel trim plus a sporty blue tongue badge. The base layer is made of nylon, and the overlays are constructed of soft suede. The shoe’s standard gold wordmark is present, but instead of “Orion” it reads “Terry Fox.” A prideful 40-year Marathon of Hope anniversary graphic complete with a Canadian maple leaf appears on the insole, and is replicated on extra laces. Trim blue/white midsoles and outsoles complete the look. Even the tissue paper present in the shoebox is special: unfolded, it shows Fox’s notes to adidas requesting the aforementioned sponsorship.
Adidas
The shoes are accompanied by a special red, white and blue ringer t-shirt that offers a retro graphic of Fox charging bravely ahead on the front, a 40th anniversary hit on the left sleeve and a map with a list of Fox’s stops on the back. Yet to be revealed are a special UltraBOOST DNA and six other t-shirt designs, which will drop later this summer.
The adidas Terry Fox collection will release exclusively on the adidas Canada webstore starting May 20, and the Orion retails at $130 CAD (approximately $92 USD). Drops will continue through the year, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation with an overall goal of raising $1 million CAD.
