800 km, 8 days, and $235,000 

Matt Carlson, Projects Officer at CFB Esquimalt, and Dan Bodden, co-founder of the WWRBC, celebrate as the Wounded Warrior Run BC 2025 concludes at Market Square on Mar. 2. Photo: Archana Cini

Archana Cini, 
Lookout Newspaper 

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The 2025 Wounded Warriors B.C. Run Concludes

There is no better fuel than purpose when running 800 kilometres in just 8 days.

An unforgettable adventure across Vancouver Island, the Wounded Warrior Run BC 2025 brought together a team of 18 Canadians (eight runners and ten support staff) to raise funds for trauma-exposed professionals in the community. The team’s efforts began in Port Hardy on Feb. 23 and culminated in a spectacular finish in Victoria’s Market Square on Mar. 2.

More than $235,313 was raised for Wounded Warriors Canada, funds that will stay local to the island and support recovery, counselling, training, and education efforts for trauma exposed professionals, including Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, veterans, first responders, and their families.

Among this year’s runners was Kevin Whiteside. Many would know him as Captain(N) Kevin Whiteside, Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt, but he chose to run as himself, of his own volition, because he believed in supporting Wounded Warriors Canada and the programs they and other such organizations offer to trauma exposed professionals.  Surrounded by the community, his daughters, and a D.I.Y. Go Dad! poster after the journey, Kevin stressed that it was ultimately family that fuelled him through the eight strenuous days of running.

“The toughest moment of the past week was leaving my family on Saturday, and the best moment was getting to see them again now, along with the incredible support from our community” he said. “It’s beyond special to support Wounded Warriors Canada – an organization that doesn’t just help trauma-affected individuals, but also their families and their communities. As a leader, to support that and become a runner this year, assisting to raise awareness across the island of programs available to those in need gave me a real sense of purpose.” Kevin also stressed the incredible efforts of the run director, a fellow CAF member, Capt Jacqueline Zweng in enabling this run to happen.

Matthew Carlson, Projects Officer at CFB Esquimalt, was also among the team as the 2025 backup head runner.

“It was just so rewarding to be a part of,” he said. “As tough as it was to feel the running add up, visiting each community as we made our way through the island was even more uplifting. It made the challenge worthwhile to see the people and purpose behind our efforts.”

Action Stations!, a pop sub-group of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, also made an appearance at the finale with a set of pop-funk tunes charged with energy. Following a chorus of cheers, Master Sailor Zack Everett said, “Music has a way of making moments feel more special, and we in the Naden Band recognize how important it is to celebrate when achievements have been made.”