Thirty years after Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope was tragically cut short, thousands of Canadians were running in his honour on Sunday, hoping their dedication can help cure cancer.

From Toronto's Woodbine Beach boardwalk to the streets of Pickering, those across the Greater Toronto Area laced up their running shoes and joined the rest of Canada in one of the world's largest cancer fundraisers.

"There has never been a more courageous young man in my opinion," Pickering run organizer Kevin Cuhill told CTV Toronto. "There is only one idol, and that is Terry Fox."

Fox became a Canadian icon for attempting to run across Canada after losing one of his legs to cancer.

Fox began his journey across Canada by dipping his foot in the Atlantic Ocean on April 12, 1980, He was forced to stop 143 days later, near Thunder Bay, Ont., when his cancer returned and he became too ill to continue.

The disease claimed him before he could complete his Marathon of Hope.

During his time on the road, Fox averaged the length of a marathon every day, pushing himself forward through sheer determination.

"I just can't believe what he did," one participant said. "When I think of him running a marathon a day, going to bed, waking up and going another marathon on one leg, I can't believe it."

Thirty years later, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised half a billion dollars for cancer research. More than two million people take part in the annual run every year. It is held in more than 30 countries.

Participants at the Woodbine Beach run raised more than one million dollars this year, one of 12 locations across Canada to do so.

"Terry fox is one of those Canadians that we can all aspire to," said Torontonian Tony Harold. "I think he challenges us to do our best and to continue the fight to end cancer."

Several other charity runs and walks took place on Toronto streets on Sunday, as participants took advantage of the last official weekend of summer.

Hundreds of walkers hit downtown streets for the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life 2010, which raises funds for health promotion and community education programs.

The Canadian Tamil Congress hosted the 2nd Annual Tamil Canadian Walk-A-Thon at Thomson Memorial Park, at Brimley Road and Lawrence Avenue East.

The walk, which was expected to bring together thousands of community members, raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society.

More than 100 participants also took part in Variety Village's annual Walk Roll Run fundraiser in Mississauga, which raised money for people with disabilities and their families.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Sneha Kulkarni