In late 2023, I found out that the director of the Wounded Warrior Run BC selected me to be on the team for 2024. I first heard about the Wounded Warrior Run back in 2016, which is when I got involved with it. Back in 2016, I was on the support team and was one of the backup runners in case someone got injured or can’t run for some reason. I watched the other members of the team running and it became a goal for me to be one of the official runners on the Wounded Warrior Run BC team at some point.
Wounded Warrior Run BC team 2024. Photo by John Penner
For those who don’t know, Wounded Warrior Run BC is an annual event that raises awareness and funds for Wounded Warriors Canada. Wounded Warriors Canada is a nationally-recognized mental health service provider dedicated to serving ill and injured Trauma Exposed Professionals and their families. Trauma Exposed professionals include first responders and military personnel.
I got involved in the Wounded Warrior Run because I’m extremely passionate about helping others by running for a cause that matters. Our first responders and military personnel are valuable members of our community and we need to make sure that we, as a society, look after them so they can continue to serve and protect. This is why it truly matters to me.
I want to run for a purpose so that I can continue to keep going even when the going gets tough. Running is not always easy. However, when I have a meaningful reason to run, I’m less likely to quit.
Leading up to this year’s Wounded Warrior Run, I kicked off my fundraising in January by running 5 marathons (26.2 miles) in 5 days. On Day 1, I ran it in 4:47. On Day 2, I got 5:05. On Day 3, I got 4:37. Day 4 was a bit slower and harder, so I got 5:16. However, on Day 5, I got my fastest time in 5 days and ran a marathon in 4:18.
On February 4th, the Wounded Warrior Run BC team did a one day relay run from Sooke to Sidney. I kicked off the run at the Sooke Legion and surprised myself because I averaged 4:47 min per km for 11.5km. Prior to this event, I was mostly running between 5 and 6 minutes per km in training. In fact, since getting back to running after my illness in late 2022, I haven’t had too many days where I broke 5 minutes per km (still working on getting back there again).
I cannot believe I made the front page of the Alberni Valley News after running over the Alberni Summit (the hump).
This year’s Wounded Warrior Run BC team included members of the Victoria Police Department, firefighters, military members and the RCMP. For those who may not know, I’m a former reserve Logistics Officer from 39 Service Battalion. Although I was in the military as a reservist for only 3 years, I got to know some people who have seen some scary things during their long military careers.
The Main Wounded Warrior Run BC Event February 25-March 3, 2024
As a team, we started the main event with more than $50,000 raised. The team’s goal was to raise $250,000.
Day 1: The run kicked off in Port Hardy on February 25th. My assigned leg was around 17km and to my surprise, once again, I averaged 4:53 per km. There were some good hills up there for sure. I began to embrace the hills. As someone who ran from Port Hardy to Victoria by myself for charity back in 2013, I was super happy to be part of a relay team doing it this year.
Day 2: I slowed it down a little bit and averaged 5:01 per km for approximately 11km. The team continued to bond together which was amazing. This was the day it snowed which is why I ran a bit slower.
Day 3: I woke up feeling pretty good about how the last 2 days went. I was watching the team’s fundraising total continue to go up. That day, I averaged 4:55 min per km for about 11.5km.
Running for a cause. Photo by John Penner.
Day 4: I couldn’t believe that we were already halfway through the journey together. I guess time truly does go by fast when you are having fun. We ran out of Campbell River that day. I averaged 4:58 per km over approximately 14km.
Day 5: On Day 5, our team made it to Port Alberni. I heard about “The Hump” on the Alberni Highway (highway 4) and that I would be running up it. The thing I heard about The Hump is that it is both long and steep in some sections. Until this run, I haven’t heard of that section of Highway 4 being called that. My assigned distance for Day 5 was just under 19km and it included The Hump (aka Alberni Summit). While I averaged 4:51 min per km, it wasn’t easy for me. The hill was definitely steep and long. While the hill was a challenge, it is nowhere near as hard as what our trauma exposed professionals go through on a regular basis as a result of their jobs. The big hill climb was to honor them and I was happy to do it. Going up that hill, I thought about them and the challenges that they go through. I got a lot of encouragement from the motorists that were on the highway which also inspired me to keep going. Our team also raised more than $10,000 at the Port Alberni stop.
It was fun running with Jason. Photo by John Penner.
Day 6: After the big Alberni Summit ascent on Day 5, I only ran 4km on Day 6 averaging 7:08 min per km. It was a good recovery day for me. Even though I didn’t feel worn out or tired from Day 5, the recovery day was important because we want to avoid injuries on this journey.
Day 7: On Day 7, I ran from Ladysmith to Chemainus. It was just under 12km. It was a beautiful route and there were no big hills. My average pace on Day 7 was 4:54 per km.
Photo by John Penner.
Day 8: On Day 8, I honestly felt a little bit sad that the journey was coming to an end. My assigned section included the Bear Mountain ascent. Did I mention that I began to really love hills again? On that day, I averaged 5:22 min per km and ran just over 9km. The finish line at Market Square was absolutely amazing. I loved all the speeches at the end and it was a great way to wrap up our journey.
What I loved about the Wounded Warrior Run:
1.Connecting with my amazing teammates. Throughout the 8 days, we all took turns talking to the media, making speeches and always supported each other. We were truly in this together and that is exactly what I loved about it. We had an amazing team dynamic.
2.Connecting with the community. Ultimately, this event was about raising awareness of Wounded Warriors Canada. The best way to do that is to connect with people at various venues throughout the journey.
3. My assigned sections of the run. I literally enjoyed every step of the way. The head runner listened to all of us and understood what our goals were for the 8 days. He was an awesome leader who really cared about us and how we felt each day. This allowed him to assign our sections appropriately.
4.The support that we received from various organizations in the community. From start to finish, we got a lot of support. The Legions, Lions Clubs, fire departments, paramedics, RCMP, Victoria Police, mayors and city councils all supported us and our cause.
5.We raised the most money since the inception of this run. In the end, our team raised slightly over $200,000 which is awesome. All the funds raised during this run stay on Vancouver Island and support our local Trauma Exposed Professionals.
Running up Bear Mountain. Photo by John Penner.
Will I do it next year?
A few people asked me if I will do this again next year. This run is scheduled to take place around the same time as the Tokyo Marathon, which I’m trying to get into. The Tokyo Marathon would be my 6th World Marathon Majors Star if I can get in. However, if I don’t get into Tokyo (and I will know by this fall if I do), then I’m going to apply to run for Wounded Warriors in 2025 and hopefully get selected. If I get into Tokyo, then I get to finish my World Marathon Majors journey and move on to my next running goal. If I get to run the Tokyo Marathon next year, I will honor the Wounded Warrior Run team while I run the Tokyo Marathon and probably throw up a fundraising page for Wounded Warriors Canada.
Final thoughts:
It was an honor and a privilege to run for Wounded Warriors Canada. I’ve added Wounded Warriors Canada to my list of charities whose work I feel is very important and that I’m going to keep supporting in whichever way possible.
If you are a first responder, veteran or military member and you need support, I urge you to check out the programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada. You do not have to suffer alone and help is available for you and your family. Please share this with someone who may need support from Wounded Warriors Canada. I’ve met the people who are behind this organization and I know that they are ready to help.
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