Marathon event aims to stock Christmas hampers

The lesson from last yearB次元官网网址檚 Turkey Run B次元官网网址� donB次元官网网址檛 be the last guy, or even the second guy, to jog in a 20-pound scuba helmet. It gets sweaty, fast.

B次元官网网址淚t was horrible,B次元官网网址� laughs Lieut. (N) Walter Dubeau. B次元官网网址淚 think this year weB次元官网网址檙e going to have extra liners.B次元官网网址�

The curious caravan of navy bomb trucks and men running in heavy equipment is gearing up for its second outing, all in an effort to buy turkeys and other perishables for the West Shore Christmas Hamper Fund.

The hastily arranged event last year had a goal of raising $6,000. About 65 navy divers from the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), based in Colwood, ran and loped along West Shore roads for 43 kilometres and collected $13,300 B次元官网网址� enough to supply 688 hampers. Guys in bomb suits running away from anything attracts attention.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 bloody hard, itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of extra weight to run with gear designed for the water. But itB次元官网网址檚 fun doing something different,B次元官网网址� said Lt.-Cmdr. Bob Klein, commander of the FDU (P), who ran in a eight kilogram helmet and a 40 kg breathing apparatus. B次元官网网址淏ut people were very generous last year, it was a great first attempt.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚t really boosted morale, it was amazing, itB次元官网网址檚 hard to describe,B次元官网网址� said Dubeau, the primary organizer of the Turkey Run. B次元官网网址淲hen we got $13,000 everyone went crazy. The esprit de corps was certainly elevated by this.B次元官网网址�

This yearB次元官网网址檚 event, set for Dec. 3, is amped up with more navy divers, more volunteers and a larger public profile. Six Mile pub and Original JoeB次元官网网址檚 restaurant are raising money for the Turkey Run.

WilsonB次元官网网址檚 Transportation is supplying buses for runners, complete with washrooms.

B次元官网网址淪ome of the guys complained they needed a bathroom, especially after being stuck in a bomb suit,B次元官网网址� Dubeau remarked.

Taking turns with colleagues, Dubeau ran in heavy gear and helped collect donations from bemused motorists and pedestrians.

B次元官网网址淚 did two kilometres in the helmet, two kilometres in a rebreather and one kilometre in a bomb suit,B次元官网网址� Dubeau said. B次元官网网址淏ut the hardest is the helmet. ItB次元官网网址檚 so big on your head it bounces all over when youB次元官网网址檙e running.B次元官网网址�

Dubeau, an annual volunteer for the West Shore Christmas hamper effort, originally organized the Turkey Run after food bundles were being cut back due to a lack of funds.

Gayle Ireland, president of the Christmas hamper society, said the Turkey Run is a big donation among many generous donations from the community.

B次元官网网址淭his is going to be an immense help,B次元官网网址� Ireland said. B次元官网网址淲e never know how much money will come in from year to year. It really allows us to do wonderful Christmas hampers.B次元官网网址�

This year navy divers are aiming to raise $12,000. Extra cash will go toward buying toys and Christmas gifts for hampers.

Last yearB次元官网网址檚 looping route took divers through Belmont Park, Westshore Town Centre and Millstream Village, for a total of about 43 km. This year is roughly the same, although Dubeau added the Lagoon Road hill.

Divers wanted B次元官网网址渕ore of a challenge,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭his year weB次元官网网址檒l be gong down to the (Esquimalt) lagoon and up B次元官网网址榟eartbreak hill.B次元官网网址� People having their breakfast will see navy divers running by.B次元官网网址�

The second annual navy diver Turkey Run is Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting from the base on Wilfert Road.

On Dec. 3, FDU diving equipment and bomb disposal gear will be on display from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. outside Original JoeB次元官网网址檚 restaurant at Westshore Town Centre. Six Mile Pub is hosting a silent auction after the run.

Navy divers will run bearing business logos for $100. Contact Dubeau at walter.dubeau@forces.gc.ca for information.

See navydiver.ca/Turkey_Run.htm or on Facebook search B次元官网网址淔DU (P) Turkey Run.B次元官网网址�