Two military men with a shared goal to complete an arduous 33 km run from Cochrane to the Trails End Camp up Jamieson Road, accomplished their goal on Sept. 4 in three hours and 27 minutes. “I always had an aspiration to run from Cochrane to the camp,” laughed Warren Hartwell (retired Major) who served at the British military training camp from 2009-2011 and spent 31 years in the military. “We thought that if we’re going to do this run, why not see if we can raise some money.” Raise money indeed, with Hartwell rallying $2000 and counting for the Make A Wish Foundation and co-hort Major Russ Bailey raising some 2875 pounds for the Prince of Wales Hospice in the U.K. Hartwell, a fit and healthy 52-year-old, said that he was inspired by the endurance sick children had and thought that if they could go through the obstacles of their illnesses, he could endure a difficult run to honour them. With the last 11 km of the run being uphill, Hartwell admits the journey may have been shorter than the 42-km marathons he has done in the past, but it was more difficult. The experience of running alongside a fellow military man also running in the name of charity was enough to help him cross the finish line. The race kicked off at Cochrane Coffee Traders that morning, where coffee shop owner Mayor Jeff Genung planted the seed that perhaps the pair should turn the run into an annual event - one that he would continue to support. Hartwell said they’re open to the possibility - and would welcome Genung, an Ironman competitor, to join them. “It’s always great to see someone raising funds for a great cause, but it’s also great to see that connection between Cochrane and the Trails End Camp,” said Genung. https://www.pwh.org.uk/support-us/other-ways-to-help/fundraising/view-fundraising-pages/rockies-challenge. https://makeawishsa.ca/campaign/rockies-challenge.
