Police officers from across Ontario participate in 'Run to Remember' from Toronto to Ottawa
Police officers from all over Ontario have been running from Toronto to Ottawa the past few days for the National Police Officers' Memorial Run (NPOMR).
The "Run to Remember" is held annually to pay tribute to officers who have died in the line of duty, and to raise awareness for the National Police Officers' Memorial at Parliament Hill.
The tradition began in 2005, when a few dozen members of the Peel Regional Police Pacers Running team ran the 460 kilometres from Toronto to Ottawa.
Now, almost two decades later, 300 officers from 30 different agencies across the province participate in the run.
"This year we have 15 of our officers that are running," said Kevin Smith from the York Regional Police.
"It's really important mainly for the families, that this number of officers come out to ensure that their loved ones are never forgotten."
The race is a relay-style event, with officers being able to choose which 10-15 km splits they would like to run.
It began Thursday morning at the Toronto Police Memorial and officers made their way east through Whitby, Oshawa, Coburg, Belleville and Kingston, before reaching Brockville on Friday night.
The final day of the NPOMR kicked off at the Brockville Courthouse, then making stops in Prescott, Cardinal, Brouseville and Kemptville, before finishing at Brewer Park in Ottawa.
Richard and Mary Woodland are from Spencerville, Ont. and sat on the side of Shanly Rd. Saturday to watch their daughter Meredith run, who is a member of the York Regional Police.
"By the time she's done today, she'll have run 104 kilometres in this relay," said Richard, after watching his daughter run by.
"Growing up in Spencerville, it's really nice to run through the towns of Brockville, Prescott and Cardinal," Meredith told CTV News after finishing her second-to-last leg of the run.
"Been doing 33 km a day, legs are a bit sore. But yeah, it's awesome to be out here with everyone. It's a great run.
"It's all about camaraderie, bringing everyone together," said Adam Kimber with the Hamilton Police Service.
Kimber has been participating since 2018 and says running along the St. Lawrence River from Brockville to Prescott is his favourite leg of the journey.
"We always have a good time down in Brockville," he concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates 'It's a bad look': Calls grow to restrict high-tech car theft devices in wake of W5 investigation
There are new calls to crack down on the sale of high-tech devices that can be used to clone key fobs and steal cars, in the wake of a W5 investigation that found the devices are falling into the hands of thieves.
Cold case that puzzled Toronto-area police for nearly half a century cracked. Here's how they did it
For nearly 45 years, the identity of the human remains found along a rural road north of Toronto remained a mystery. It was on July 16, 1980, when a Markham, Ont. resident made the discovery near a wooded area on Eleventh Concession, between 14th and Steeles avenues. Unbeknownst to them, the remains belonged to William Joseph Pennell, a convict who had escaped a Kingston prison a month earlier.
Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson as the hits don't match the hype
The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell, and bowed toward 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
'We are not Disneyland': Outrage in Rome over Airbnb 'gladiator' battles at the Colosseum
The ancient Colosseum in Rome has witnessed some historic battles, with toga-clad crowds once packing the gigantic venue to watch gladiators slug it out against opponents including lions and baboons.
String of three murders in Nova Scotia raises alarm about intimate partner violence
Groups working to help victims of domestic violence in Nova Scotia say a recent string of murders of women provides just a glimpse of the extent of intimate partner violence in the province, and they say more action is needed to protect victims.
'Keep that legacy going': Siblings revive one of Alberta's oldest general stores
It's a brisk, bright autumn morning when Julie-Ann McNeilly comes barrelling down a dirt road, steps out of her van and dives deep into the history of Johnny's Store.
Former ambassador says Canada has become 'laggard,' 'irrelevant' on defence spending
Former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. Derek Burney is calling Canada a 'laggard,' and says the country needs to do 'major work' on its defence spending if it wants to be taken seriously on other issues with the United States.
Video shows shotgun pointed at staff during pawn shop robbery
A Winnipeg pawn shop owner is speaking out after a violent robbery at his McPhillips Street location.
Former soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.