Archana Cini
Lookout Newspaper

There’s nothing like a much-anticipated 8:45 a.m. blast from an army howitzer cannon on a rainy Saturday morning. On June 21, CFB Esquimalt saw hundreds of Defence Community members, and locals supporting each other for the 19th annual Navy Run.

The 2025 Esquimalt Navy Run took place at the Naden Athletic Centre, offering participants a well-organized morning of movement and community connection. With a scenic route that wound through the harbour and select sections of CFB Esquimalt, this year’s run included in-person 5 and 10km races in addition to an inclusive virtual race option. This hybrid format, first introduced in 2020, has remained a key part of the event’s success – particularly for deployed or remotely working Defence Community members.

According to Race Director Gillian Larsen, the 2025 run saw the highest registration rate in several years with over 590 registered participants across Canada, nearly 400 of whom ran locally this year.

One of the Navy Run’s celebrated community elements continues to remain its fundraising arm. The 2025 run raised over $3,800 in funds for Soldier On, a 2007-founded non-profit organization providing support for injured and ill Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. Another of the day’s highlights was the beloved Kids’ Fun Run, which saw young runners with beaming smiles racing their way through rain puddles on a kid-friendly track. In addition to cheer and water stations scattered across the race route to support participants, the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) kept racers’ spirits high through the rain with an upbeat selection of music.

With high turnout, an ever-growing reputation, and over 50 event volunteers, the 2025 Navy Run continues to reinforce its status as a flagship summer event for the Esquimalt community. A huge thank you to our incredible 2025 Navy Run sponsors: SEASPAN, Babcock, BMO, Bell Media, Running Room, Outway, Saje Natural Wellness, Tim Hortons, and Domino’s Pizza!

Brazo Zulu to our incredible gold, silver, and bronze-place finishers:

5 km Race

  • Gold: Cian Griffin, 17:25
  • Silver: Bailey Toupin, 18:42
  • Bronze: Liam Ramstead, 19:43

10 km Race

  • Gold: Joshua Koromei, 34:40
  • Silver: Landon Leslie-Marseille, 36:18
  • Bronze: Daniel Sellers, 36:38