Wounded Canadian soldiers, united by their injuries, joined nearly 7,000 military members and civilians Sunday morning for the first Canada Army Run, a massive show of support and perseverance.
Cpl. Shaun Fevens was the only survivor when a roadside bomb tore through an armoured vehicle in April. 2007. Six of his comrades died: the worst single-day loss for Canada in Afghanistan.
Fevens was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a major fracture to his left thigh, while shrapnel tore skin from his right leg.
Fevens took to the road with all the others, either in a five-kilometre race or half-marathon along the Rideau Canal, to raise money and awareness for military families and the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
"A lot of times when you become injured or disabled, you become isolated, " said Sgt. Andrew MacLean, co-founder of Soldier On. "It's a way for us to keep a connection."
Master Cpl. Paul Franklin finished the 5K after losing both his legs in a January 2006 suicide bombing in Afghanistan. He said there's pride in knowing soldiers like him still have a role in the Canadian Forces.
"Back when I was injured none of this would have happened," Franklin said. "We would have all been kicked out of the arm and would have moved on. Now they understand the commitment that wounded soldiers can bring to an organization."
The Canada Army Run was modeled after the U.S. Army Ten Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon.
The day also featured special military displays in front of City Hall and an army-style pasta dinner.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
