More than two dozen army cadets braved cold and rain in order to complete the inaugural Cadet Army Run in support of the Dayle Rudman Memorial Scholarship, an “epic” ordeal involving endurance, know-how, and even First Aid skills.
The cadets – members of Surrey’s 2812 Seaforth Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet corps, ranging in age from 12 to 18 – travelled across a 4.8-km course set in the east section of Tynehead Regional Park, underneath a late March downpour.
The course included a sprint, and a belly crawl – a challenge made possible thanks to the expertise of the Seaforth Highlanders – along with other obstacles and challenges.
“We couldn’t have picked a better day to host an army run,” says MWO Kevin Fierling, recounting the “horrible weather, military presence, and determination of the cold and soaking-wet cadets.”
Despite the hardships, the experience was unforgettable – in a good way – for everyone who turned out for the “epic” run, Fierling said. 
The run itself “was a spectacle of teamwork and personal discipline,” as the cadets got wetter and wetter, running through Tynehead Park and crawling under mine tape, Fierling recounts.
[At left, the winning team poses for a victory photo.]
The cadets’ First Aid skills were similarly tested when they encountered parents with mock wounds.
Fierling, who was awarded a plaque recognizing his individual leadership skills on the course, says the participants pushed each other to go faster, harder and further than they thought possible.
He thanked the parents, CIC officers and infantry reservists for helping make the event possible.
The aim of the challenge was to raise money that will be used to create a scholarship commemorating a cadet volunteer.
Dayle Rudman who was a tireless champion for the cadet program – both in the areas of track and field, and the arts.
She passed away suddenly last fall.
A scholarship open to Seaforth Highlander cadets who exemplify these qualities will be created through the registration fees from the cadet army run, and from private donations.
The March 29 event raised $340.
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