Does A Tank Run In The Half Marathon?

In late September, on the same weekend we had Nuit Blanche, there was another event going on in the city, the Army Run, which featured distance running to benefit two military causes: Soldier On and the Military Families Fund. I took photos on both Saturday and Sunday. On the lawn in front of City Hall and the Cartier Square Drill Hall, a number of military vehicles were parked, with soldiers on hand to answer questions. This is the Husky, a mine detector with x-ray and metal detectors. Large as it is, the soldier explained its tire inflation can be lowered to reduce ground pressure, allowing the vehicle to pass over many anti-vehicle mines without setting them off. The entire thing is designed and armoured in a way to protect the driver.

Husky drivers work in tandem with the operators of this vehicle, the Buffalo, which is the vehicle used to investigate anything the Husky turns up as suspicious. It includes an extendable arm to expose whatever potential threat might be lurking beneath the soil. The two vehicles work with a third, the Cougar, which is used to remove mines and IEDs. These vehicles would have been used frequently in Afghanistan.

This is the LAV 6.0 (Light Armoured Vehicle), a personnel carrier capable of speeds of 100 kilometres an hour over roads. It has a crew of three and can carry seven passengers.

This view from Sunday is of Cartier Square. The armoury stands out beautifully on a clear day.

This Leopard tank was in front. It's used by several NATO countries, and takes a crew of four. Members of the public were allowed on top of it, as well as inside the four crew locations. I can say, having had sat at each station, that it is very cramped quarters. At full combat weight, this thing is over 57000 kilograms.

A group of bagpipers were playing in front of City Hall on Sunday.

Finishing off, these two views are taken both south and north on the Laurier Avenue Bridge over the Rideau Canal, taking in views of the runners, from each branch of the military, some having had come in quite a long way for the weekend. There were 5K and half marathon races being held.