VANCOUVER - It has been exactly 25 years since Canada's "Man in Motion," Rick Hansen, completed his round-the-world tour to raise funds for spinal cord research.

Hansen has marked the anniversary with a cross-country relay that began last August at Cape Spear, Nfld., and ends this morning with a ceremony at Terry Fox Plaza in downtown Vancouver.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and hundreds of supporters will join Hansen on the final leg of his anniversary tour through the downtown core to the plaza.

The original wheelchair marathon took 26 months, covered 34 countries and raised $26 million dollars for research into spinal cord injuries.

Hansen was just 29-years old on May 22, 1987, when his global tour wrapped up and now, just months from his 55th birthday, his foundation has raised more than $250 million and continues to investigate advances in research and improvements in quality of life initiatives.

A concert and celebration, headlined by singer Sarah MacLachlan, is planned for tonight at the Pacific Coliseum to cap the Man in Motion anniversary events.

For the latest from The Canadian Press, scroll down The Tyee's home page or click here.