Register today for the 2024 Calgary Army Run
August 30, 2024 - Emily Tam, Communications Assistant, 41 Canadian Brigade Group
On Sept. 14, the first‑ever Calgary Army Run will take place at Poppy Plaza, with five‑kilometre and 10 km routes running along the Bow River pathways.
The event, a satellite event of the Canada Army Run held in Ottawa, is led by 41 Canadian Brigade Group (41 CBG) in partnership with the Canada Army Run and the City of Calgary.
Both civilians and military personnel are encouraged to participate in the races to raise awareness of 41 CBG’s units and to support the Canadian Army. The event will start at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Participants of all abilities and fitness levels are welcomed.
To join the event, register online through the Canada Army Run website. Registrants will receive a race kit featuring Canada Army Run merchandise and a dog tag finisher’s medal. Both races have an entry fee of $50, and 41 CBG members receive a 20‑per‑cent discount.
Money raised from registration fees will go to Support Our Troops and Soldier On. Both organisations are official charitable causes of the Canadian Armed Forces, providing support for ill and injured military members, veterans and their families. Soldier On is a “highly visible and integral component of the Department of National Defence and the CAF’s [Canadian Armed Forces] commitment to the care of ill and injured members,” and along with Support Our Troops is operated in co‑operation with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
The first‑ever Canada Army Run took place in 2008 and saw a total of 7,000 participants, including both civilians and military personnel. The year after, the total grew to 11,000, and the event was dubbed the “fastest growing run in the country.” Since then, participants have raised more than $4.7 million in support of the CAF community. The 2024 Calgary Army Run hopes to contribute to this year’s funds raised for the Canada Army Run, which has so far raised more than $100,000.
This year, the Canada Army Run is celebrating its 17th anniversary with in‑person challenges taking place in Ottawa on Sept. 22, while virtual challenges run from Sept. 6 to 27. All virtual challenges will need to be recorded via the ASICS Runkeeper app, a connected fitness device or by manual upload. This applies to all participants of the Calgary Army Run. Notably, the event in Calgary will only be offering the 5 km and 10 km challenges. While anyone can choose to complete other virtual challenges, like the Sergeant Major’s Challenge (21.1 km) and Commander’s Challenge (5 km + 10 km + 21.1 km) as well, these must be completed in their own time.
Located at 1101 Memorial Drive NW, Poppy Plaza is a war memorial commemorating Canada’s military heritage. Fittingly, as it pays tribute to Calgarian soldiers, it will act as both the start and finish line of the Calgary Army Run.
Calgary is home to the headquarters of 41 CBG, an Army Reserve formation within 3rd Canadian Division. Made up of nine units and a brigade headquarters, 41 CBG has about 1,700 Reserve soldiers in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer, as well as Yellowknife, N.W.T. The units of 41 CBG have proud histories, with many soldiers having served with distinction in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. Notably, this includes more than six Victoria Crosses won by soldiers in the brigades' units.
Most of the present day 41 CBG soldiers serve part‑time, while maintaining full‑time jobs, studies and families. They are also dedicated, professional soldiers who continue to proudly serve Canada when needed to augment the Regular Force on deployed missions NATO and United Nations missions internationally. As well, they serve local Canadian communities in domestic operations like the British Columbia wildfires.
Caption
Members from Camp Canada participate in a shadow Army Run event on Sept. 20, 2015, during Operation IMPACT.
Photo via Operation IMPACT, Department of National Defence
Caption
A Canadian Armed Forces member participates in a Canadian Army Shadow Run at Camp Castor in Mali during Operation PRESENCE on Sept. 15, 2018.
Photo by Cpl Ken Beliwicz
Caption
Canadian Armed Forces members participate in a Canadian Army Shadow Run at Camp Castor in Mali during Operation PRESENCE on Sept. 15, 2018.
Photo by Cpl Ken Beliwicz
As an opportunity to connect with the public, the Army Run seeks to increase local awareness of the Army Reserves and its Calgary‑based units. Back in 2008, the same objective was pursued by ‘Loops for the Troops,’ a fundraiser and community event founded by the late Michael Hornburg, the father of Corporal Nathan Hornburg, who was a member of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment, a unit within 41 CBG.
Loops for the Troops used to be held on Canadian Armed Forces Day, which is observed annually on the first Sunday in June. Though no longer taking place in recent years, the event similarly pursued the Canada Army Run’s goal of “Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces joining together in the spirit of camaraderie and community.”
The 2024 Calgary Army Run will be taking place with additional focus on the local community and Calgary‑based personnel, but still emphasizes the Canada Army Run and its greater mission.