Canada Army Run Sets Sights on Becoming North American Destination Run

Market Wire, June, 2009

Editors Note: A photo for this release is available via Marketwire's website.

On the heels of the most successful Ottawa Race Weekend ever, organizers of that event are now turning their focus and energies towards creating another North American destination run: Canada Army Run , scheduled Sunday, September 20.

SOME FACTS:

- The 2008 Army Run sold out and made Canadian history by shattering records for the largest number of entrants for an inaugural run - attracting 7000 civilians and military personnel, who ran, walked, or wheeled along spectator-filled streets.

- Organizers expect to break records for growth this year.

- The concept of having a military run was modeled on the renowned U.S. Army 10 Miler and Marine Corp Marathon , both held in the Washington, DC area.

- Ottawa , Canada's Capital City, is a "running" city, with dozens of runs . Its largest run is Ottawa Race Weekend , which this year celebrated its 35th anniversary and attracted 36,000 people from around the world. In terms of size, it is second in Canada only to Vancouver's Sun Run .

- You can register at www.armyrun.ca

- Canada Army Run is "military" in style from start to finish, including:

- field-kitchen-style pasta dinner the night before the run

- 105 mm Howitzer cannon used as the "starter's pistol"

- special salutes to injured soldiers, more than 30 of whom participated in last year's event.

- two dozen generals at the start line

- Central Band of the Canadian Forces

- helicopter start-line fly-past

- Skyhawks Parachute Demonstration Team jump

- race lead-off by the Canada Army Veterans Motorcycle team

- distinctive long-sleeved technical running shirts that feature the CADPAT Canadian camouflage pattern

- "dog tag" medals for all participants

- fundraising efforts to support Soldier On and Military Families Fund

SOME QUOTES:

1. Run Director, Major Chris Horeczy (Chris was also Run Director last year):

"When I looked out at the start of the race last year, I saw an Army regiment in grey shirts and right beside them a group of women wearing rabbit ears on their heads, just out to have a good time. For me, that captured the essence of the run - civilians and military running side by side."

"We chose Ottawa for a number of reasons: it's the Capital of Canada, so the right place to host a national-level event; there's a large running community here and in the area, as well as a large military presence; and it's a beautiful city, particularly in the Fall."

2. Commander of the Army, Lt. General Andrew B. Leslie :

"For soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen, there's nothing more powerful than knowing you have the support of Canadians for what you do at home and abroad. That's one of the reasons Canada Army Run has been an overwhelming success. It provides an important opportunity for civilians and the military to come together in a show of camaraderie and mutual respect. I'm looking forward to this year's run and for another opportunity to say "thanks" to our troops and the Canadians who support them."

3. Jim Robinson, General Manager of Ottawa Race Weekend and official race organizer for Canada Army Run

"Ottawa is a running town. It is also a beautiful city and, as the Capital of Canada, draws visitors from across North America and around the world. I have no doubt that this run will grow to become a major destination for runners across North America and as important to the city as Ottawa Race Weekend."

4. John Stanton , Founder of Running Room , a sponsor of the Army Run

"The Running Room is 100% behind the Canada Army Run. What a great way to show our support for our troops."

5. Paul "Trapper" Cane , President and Co-Founder of Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) Motorcycle Units

"I'm still a soldier at heart. Being there, at Canada Army Run, to support our troops is the greatest honour that a vet or retired soldier could have."

OTHER LINKS

- Video: Run Director Chris Horeczy recaps the 2008 event, discusses the course, and invites civilians to run with the military on September 20, 2009

- Dick Hartnett (who has coached Olympians and military runners for the past 30 years) and Dr. Darrell Menard (an internationally renowned sports medicine doctor) offer an on-line boot camp to prepare runners for race day!

- Follow Canada Army Run on Facebook

- Follow Canada Army Run on Twitter at: twitter.com/armyrun

- Photos from last year, here . Also check out Flickr

- Some testimonials from last year, here

About Canada Army Run

Canada Army Run is a unique running event in which civilians run, walk, or wheel side-by-side with members of the Canadian Forces (Air Force, Army, and Navy) in 1/2-marathon and 5K events. Launched in 2008 with 7,000 runners (a Canadian record for the largest number of entrants for an inaugural run), this event is expected to grow to become a North American destination run. Fundraising efforts benefit Soldier On and the Military Families Fund . The 2009 Canada Army Run is scheduled for September 20.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20090621-marathon_800.jpg