The
streets of Ottawa were filled with runners and spectators
Sunday, as thousands took part in the annual Canada Army
Run.
Participants laced up for the 5K, 10K
and half-marathon, with routes stretching through downtown,
Lowertown, Rockcliffe, and Beechwood Cemetery before finishing
at the National War Memorial.
For 82-year-old Fred Clark, the event
was about more than logging kilometres. It was about paying
tribute to Canadian soldiers and supporting their families.
“I was in for five years, so I’ve got close
buddies still in the military and I relate to their cause
or to the veterans and especially the wounded and their
families, so it’s an honour,” Clark says.
The Army Run, now a staple in Ottawa’s
fall race calendar, is unique in its symbolism, with routes
passing through Beechwood Cemetery – the resting
place of many Canadian soldiers.
Race organizer Jeff Moyle says the race
was designed starting at the finish line, the Canadian
War Memorial.
“That’s one of the unique
things about Army Run, where it’s designed to be
a direct connection between the Canadian Armed Forces,
the Canadian Army and Canadians,” Moyle says. “It’s
one of the true moments where we all get to join together,
engage, run and have a good time on our course.”
Funds raised from the event go to Support our Troops and
Soldier On, programs that provide assistance ranging from
family services to rehabilitation and adaptive sports.
“This year, especially, with our
theme of a soldier’s story, we really look towards
what we do within our charitable causes, and that’s
supporting military families and the injured,” says
Madison MacDonald, fundraising manager of Soldier On and
Support our Troops.
“It’s the combination of coming
out, running, being active, being part of the community
and then fundraising for something that truly makes a
difference.”
MacDonald says this year there were over
16,000 participants that signed up either in person or
online.
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