In a story of resilience and determination, Canadian Army veteran Don Rideout completed the 2023 Canada Army Run‘s Sergeant Major’s Challenge, a feat that seemed nearly impossible just one year earlier.
After suffering a heart attack while on vacation in Punta Cana in 2022, Don’s life was turned upside down. Three stents and a lengthy recovery later, he found himself feeling fragile and fearful, hesitant to push himself too hard. However, his military discipline and love for family motivated him to take on a new challenge—running the Army Run in 2023.
Setting his sights on the Sergeant Major’s Challenge, which includes both a 5K and 10K race, Don was determined to make his comeback special. What made it even more meaningful was the chance to share this moment with his granddaughter, who joined him for the 5K portion of the race. Don completed the race proudly carrying a rucksack and the C&E branch flag, a symbol of his military service.
Canadian Army veteran Don Rideout:
“I wanted to did this to give me something I could be proud of, and for other people to be proud of me and what I accomplished. It was one of the proudest moments in my life, it’s just an incredible feeling.“
“The iTAB 100% personalises what I did, with my name and time on the medal. It gives me something I can look back on and say ‘I did this and this, and this is the result of what I did’. It gives me something to build on, it makes me strive harder for the next one, and that’s what the iTAB means to me.”
For Don, his iTAB symbolises more than just a cherished memory—it represents his journey, fuelling his determination and inspiring him to push even harder for the next challenge. His story is one of triumph over adversity, showing the strength of the human spirit and the importance of setting goals—even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Canada Army Run is more than just a race. It’s about Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces joining together in the spirit of camaraderie and community. It’s a chance for the troops to extend the military esprit de corps to Canadians and to thank them for their support. And, it’s an opportunity for Canadians to say thanks to the men and women who serve them in so many ways at home and abroad. Join thousands of others us in this year’s edition of Canada Army Run.
You can order your iTAB for any Canada Army Run directly from the iTAB website.