There was an unusual and a bit of an intimidating sight for those enjoying Edmonton’s river valley Thursday morning: dozens of soldiers marched through the river valley fully equipped in their fight gear.
The Recce Squadron from Lord Strathcona’s Horse Royal Canadian conducted a 13-kilometre ruck march.
“This 13-kilometre fitness standard is what we have to meet to be operationally fit to deploy, but almost of these guys are at a much higher level of fitness. Certainly, we don’t anticipate having any issues completing this today,” Major Paul Leonard said.
The 90 soldiers used public trails to march from Capilano Park to Forest Heights Park and back, while wearing marker vests and carrying C7 rifles, which didn’t have ammunition.
“The standard is 30 lbs but a lot of these guys will be carrying more than that, in the 40 lb range,” Leonard explained.
The training exercise is conducted annually in the river valley.
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