Julia LennipsAbove images courtesy of Canada Army Run.
Canada Army Run, presented by BMO, is returning to a virtual format for its second year.
To celebrate the Canadian Army’s (CA) history and continued connection to Canadians, the theme this year is UBIQUE (Latin for everywhere). The theme is in honour of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery’s 150th anniversary with UBIQUE 150 commemorations in 2021.
Canada Army Run is about Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces, Air Force, Army, and Navy, joining together in the spirit of camaraderie and community.
The run is a chance for the troops to extend the military esprit de corps to Canadians and to thank them for their support. It’s also an opportunity for Canadians to say thanks to the men and women who serve them in so many ways at home and abroad.
Taking place from September 10 to 19, participants can run, walk, roll and record their results anytime during the completion window. Registration is currently open for the event and will be up until the morning of the 19 of September.
Canada Army Run’s Race Director Major Lesley Quinlan mentioned even though registration is open until Sept. 19. She recommends participants register early to partake in all the new features the 2021 Canada Army Run: Virtual has to offer. Plus, it’s never too early to start preparing for your race.
Each participant will receive a race package that includes exclusive Canada Army Run merchandise and a finisher coin.
New this year are monthly training races and a distance challenge that is free to those registered in the September event in hopes of keeping you moving and motivated, right to the finish line.
REMEMBRANCE ROW
Participants will also have the opportunity to nominate fallen members they wish to see commemorated in a virtual version of Remembrance Row.
Back in 2017 saw the launch of Remembrance Row, presented in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion. It’s a moving on-course feature that showcases photographs of veterans who have passed as a way to honour loved ones that served.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS & SOLDIER ON
Canada Army Run champions Support Our Troops and Solider On.
“The value of the programs that Support Our Troops offers to military families is very important, especially these days,” said Major Quinlan. “It’s hard for everybody to navigate this pandemic and it’s extra difficult when there are deployed members and separated families.”
Support Our Troops is the official charitable cause of the CAF, as stated on their website. Support Our Troops was established in 2007 to meet the unique needs and special challenges faced by members of the CAF community as a result of military service.
The organization operates within Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
According to their website, Soldier On is a program of the CAF, which contributes to the recovery of ill and/or injured CAF members and Veterans by providing opportunities and resources through sport, recreational, and creative activities.
Since 2007, they have supported over 6500 ill and injured members using sport and physical recreational activities to enable social support, build confidence in their abilities and realize their full potential.
RACES & TRIBUTES
While the overall theme this year is UBIQUE, each race has a theme highlighting a significant moment in Candian Army history.
2021 RACES, THEMES & TRIBUTES
5K Run
Presented by General Dynamics Mission Systems – Canada, this year’s 5K virtual event honours the 150th anniversary of “A” and “B” Batteries, the first full-time or regular elements of the post-Confederation Canadian Army.
In 1871, most British troops in Canada were withdrawn, which led to the formation of “A” and “B” Batteries to take their place in manning the fortifications at Kingston and Quebec City, symbolizing Canada’s new responsibility for its defence.
10K Run
The 10K virtual event theme is the 70th anniversary of the Korean War’s Battle of Kapyong.
In April 1951, Canadian troops and allies fought the enemy in the Kaypyong Valley. The soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, persevered in the face of great adversity. Their heroic efforts did not go unnoticed by the Americans, who awarded them the United States Presidential Unit Citation.
5K + 10K Challenge – UBIQUE Challenge
Established in 2017, the 10th anniversary of the Canada Army Run, this challenge combines a 5K with a 10K. This year the challenge is named UBIQUE 150 in honour of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery’s 150th celebrations.
As part of the commemoration programme, all ranks of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery have approval to wear the UBIQUE 150 patch on their operational dress.
Half Marathon
This year’s half marathon honours the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong.
In 1941 Canada was asked to contribute to the effort to protect the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. The Royal Rifles and the Winnipeg Grenadiers assigned the task, and in late October 1941, 1,975 soldiers set sail from Vancouver, arriving in Hong Kong on November 16.
Defending Hong Kong came with a tremendous human cost, with 290 Canadians killed in battle and the survivors being prisoners of war for more than three years.
While in captivity, 264 more died for a total death toll of 554. In addition, almost 500 were wounded. Of the Canadians who arrived in Hong Kong in November 1941, more than 1,050 were killed or wounded.
Commander’s Challenge
The Commander’s Challenge, which combines the 5K + Half Marathon, was launched in 2016. Participants receive commemorative finisher coins and the Commander’s Challenge coin, which includes an image of the Candian Army Primary Badge.
The Canadian Army Primary Badge is the heraldic symbol of the Canadian Army. It symbolizes the history of the Candian Army as one team working together in the defence of Canada, service to Canada, service to the sovereign, and the heritage of the Candian Army.
The Canadian Army Badge is the symbol held closest to the army and the Canada Army Run. It is incorporated into the army’s Visual Identity and the Canada Army Run logo.
JOIN IN
People are welcome to share pictures of their run on social media, and “we ask people to respect the health measures wherever they happen to be. Whatever your local rules are, please follow them,” Quinlan stated.
For more information or to register for the run, please visit here.
