One-day Wounded Warrior runners go from Sooke to Sidney

Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Highway 14, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Highway 14, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Highway 14, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. Marciano is a constable with Port Alberni RCMP and Deschamps is a master seaman with the Royal Canadian Navy. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Highway 14, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. Marciano is a constable with Port Alberni RCMP and Deschamps is a master seaman with the Royal Canadian Navy. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps escorted by police and several fire trucks as they ran along Highway 14, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps escorted by police and several fire trucks as they ran along Highway 14, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Goldstream Avenue, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. The route went along Highway 14, down Jacklin Road and paused at the Langford fire station on Peatt Road. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Goldstream Avenue, on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. The route went along Highway 14, down Jacklin Road and paused at the Langford fire station on Peatt Road. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Goldstream Avenue on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)Maria Marciano and Steve Deschamps running along Goldstream Avenue on one of the legs of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Runners stopped at Langford Fire Rescue’s main hall for lunch, with new runners heading out after 1 p.m. on their way to Sidney, as part of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)Runners stopped at Langford Fire Rescue’s main hall for lunch, with new runners heading out after 1 p.m. on their way to Sidney, as part of the Wounded Warrior one-day event, from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Runners taking part in the Wounded Warrior one-day event were given a police escort along Highway 14 as they jogged from Sooke to Sidney on Sunday.

The one-day event is a prelude to the main run, which starts in Port Hardy on Feb. 27 and winds up in Victoria March 6.

Multiple runners split up Sunday’s distance between Sooke and Sidney, with the group taking a lunch break at Langford Fire Rescue’s main hall. Runners also stopped at the Saanich Fire Department.

Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey said the event is a good opportunity to shine a light on issues around mental health among military service members and emergency services workers.

“Demand on first responders had increased significantly with the demands that are already there plus the pandemic,” he said.

Talking about the benefit of the various mental health programs Wounded Warriors run, he said: “There was a big gap and we were losing people, and these programs (Wounded Warriors) puts on are a big help.”

The runners are scheduled to arrive in Sidney at 4:45 p.m. after leaving Sooke at 10 a.m.

Wounded Warriors Canada funds a wide range of programs and services for individuals and their families who have been impacted by operational stress injuries.

This year’s event includes a virtual option to be held Feb. 27 and March 6. It allows residents anywhere to join the team by running 1 km, 5 km, 10 km or 21 km in their respective community. Money raised will be tallied toward the main event goal of $250,000.

READ MORE: Wounded Warrior run pays homage to family for View Royal fire chief

READ MORE: Wounded Warrior Run warmup will see Sooke to Sidney covered in Sunday event

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bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
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