Mishall RehmanThis year’s Canada Army Run Announces New Challenge
The Canadian Army’s highly anticipated annual Canada Army Run will be featuring a new event for the first time: the Commander’s Challenge. Testing the stamina of running enthusiasts, the Commander’s Challenge requires participants to run both the 5k and half marathon.
“It’s just one more feature that makes the Army Run unique. Our tagline is ‘no ordinary race.’ There’s so many aspects to it that make it no ordinary race like the opportunity to interact with the military, the military theme, the cannon as the starter pistol, the dog tags, the military equipment on display, all those factors but this Commander’s Challenge just adds to the uniqueness of the event,” said Jane Houser-Irvine, Canada Army Run Marketing and Communications Advisor.
According to Houser-Irvine, people had been unofficially running both events in past years.
“So we decided this year, just based on the fact the military promotes physical fitness and excellence, that it would be great to assign the distances and let people officially do this,” added Houser-Irvine.
The total distance of the Commander’s Challenge is 26.1 km, sure to be a challenge for runners, says Houser-Irvine.
It is recommended that participants start in the first wave of the 5K at 8 a.m. then enter the half marathon at any corral wave they wish.
Participants must start no later than the last wave of the half marathon to remain in the challenge. Those participants who do not return from running the 5k by the last wave of the marathon are disqualified.
After completing the Commander’s Challenge, along with the dog tags, bib and race shirt, runners will receive a special coin. This coin is modelled after the commander coin that the Army Commander gives out to people who achieve excellence. Runners can fit both the 5k and half marathon dog tags in the back of the coin.
“It’s a really unique keepsake piece for the event,” stated Houser-Irvine.
There are currently more than 1000 runners registered for the Commander’s Challenge. The Army Run has recently opened more spots for those interested.
To register for the Commander’s Challenge or to learn more visit the Army Run website.
