Just another member of Canada's Armed Forces...

and a terrific one at that.

After winning the Canadian 24hr Running Championship in Ottawa, Sgt McLean had this to say:

"If you think what I did was tough, try visiting the cancer ward at a children's hospital and see what those kids are going through, or what our soldiers are going through overseas," says Sgt McLean. "It's really easy to run 24 hours when you know there are people out there (in Afghanistan) providing you with the freedom and the opportunity to do it. I have legs, I have my health, so why not put it to good use. It sounds kind of corny but I really believe it."

Sgt McLean is a Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) with 435 Squadron. He is now preparing for a 460 mile race in support of the Canadian Paralympic Committee's new Soldier On campaign. My hat's off to the Sergeant.

Soldier and Canadian Ultrarunner goes the distance to raise awareness for new program

Air Force / Force Aérienne - January 25, 2007

17 WING WINNIPEG – Canadian Forces member and Canada’s male Ultrarunner of the year, Sergeant Andrew McLean, departs for a challenging international, 740-kilometer race to raise awareness for the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s (CPC) Soldier On program.

CPC is working closely with the CF to have the Soldier On program help to rehabilitate injured soldiers through sports. Sgt McLean learned about the program while searching for a cause to dedicate his Yukon Artic Ultra to.

“I would like to do my part to help injured soldiers get back in the game – running, biking, skiing, whatever it is they want to do,” says Sgt Andrew McLean. “These soldiers are young and have full lives ahead.”

“The primary area of interest is to help injured Canadians, and injured soldiers, become involved in sport, as a proven way of rehabilitation,” says CPC president Carla Qualtrough. “We see it as an ideal way of promoting Paralympic Sport in Canada. Our aim is to develop a sport system for people with disabilities, including soldiers, that encourages participation at all levels, from recreational to high performance.”

Since Sgt McLean has become involved in Soldier On, others across the CF have offered their support by organizing fundraising initiatives, such as a rock concert, a dinner, and a dive-a-thon.

Sgt Andrew McLean is one of two Canadians to enter the Yukon Arctic Ultra’s 460-mile event. With only 13 days to complete the trek through the Arctic, that is nearly 18 full marathons. As the current Canadian male ultrarunner of the year, and Canada’s fastest 100-mile marathon runner in 2005, training has become a lifestyle for the world-class athlete.

McLean will benefit from the broad range of Arctic skills and experience that he has honed as a Search and Rescue Technician in the Canadian Forces. Serving at 17 Wing Winnipeg, his Squadron’s area of responsibility for search and rescue includes much of Canada’s artic.

Media wishing to interview Sgt. McLean are asked to contact 2nd Lieutenant Angela Court at (204) 227-3439, or arrive at 17 Wing Winnipeg’s Whytewold gate between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, 27 January, 2007.

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For more info contact 2nd Lieutenant Angela Court during working hours at 204-833-2500 extension 6499, or after hours at court.ar@forces.gc.ca or 204-227-3439.

Related : 17 Wing Winnipeg Photo Gallery