OTTAWA, ON – (Sept 21, 2008) It wasn’t just the sound of a 105 Howitzer cannon going
off that shook the streets of Ottawa early this morning. It was the sound of close to 7000
people running along the Rideau Canal to mark the first Canada Army Run. The sold out
event set a record for the largest number of entrants for an inaugural running event in
Canada and hundreds of spectators lined the streets.
At the end of the day, Ryan Mackenzie, a recruit in the reserves from Victoria, took the
5k title in a time of 14 minutes and 53 seconds. He was followed by Daniel Blouin, a
fitness and sports instructor from Val Cartier, Quebec in 15:26:0, with Matt Setlack of
Cold Lake, Alberta in third (16:13). Ottawa’s Lanni Merchant took the women’s title in
17:22.4, followed by Dana Buchanan of Beachburg, Ontario in 17:27. Third place went to
Joanna Brown of Carp in 18:32.
Matthew Leduc of Ajax won the first Canada Army Run Half Marathon title in 1 hour and
12 minutes and 31 seconds. He was followed by Master Warrant Officer Stephen
McNabb of Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in 1:13:09 and Matthew Stacey of Ottawa
in 1:13:27. Ottawa’s Liz McGuire won the women’s division in 1:22:19. Marie Danais, a
fitness director for the military in Val Cartier was second in 1:23:41, followed by Daniele
Riendeau in 1:23:43.
More than 20 injured soldiers from across the country took part in the event and were
given special recognition by the Chief of Defence, General Walt Natynczyk, who also ran
the 5km.
Ottawa Mayor, Larry O’Brien, who was in the field as well, officially proclaimed the day
“Army Run Day in Ottawa.”
The team competition was hotly contested in both the open and military divisions. Full
results are available at ArmyRun.ca.
Almost 7,000 runners voted with their feet today at the inaugural Canada Army Run in Ottawa, in recognition and support of our troops around the world. (photo: Steve Bower)
Liz Maguire wins the women’s half marathon at the inaugural Canada Army Run in Ottawa, in a time of 1:22:19. (Photo: Steve Bower)
Master Corporal Paul Franklin, who lost both legs fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, still has the energy to smile in the inaugural 5 km Canada Army Run held in Ottawa. Almost 7,000 other runners, plus huge cheering crowns, showed their support for the Canadian armed forces at the race. (Photo: Steve Bower)
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