8 RUNNERS
800 KMS
1 CAUSE
A Journey Across Vancouver Island That Supports Our Canadian Veterans, First Responders And Their Families.
A journey supporting our Veterans, First Responders, and their families
In 2027, our runners take on Vancouver Island again, 800 kilometres, eight runners, one mission.
The Wounded Warrior Run BC brings communities together to support the Veterans and First Responders who’ve served us, and the families.
Every kilometre raises funds for real mental health support through Wounded Warriors Canada. And every dollar raised on Vancouver Island stays on Vancouver Island, helping the people right here who need it.
This year, we’ve brought the whole island into a single run. What was once a separate one-day event is now woven into the main journey itself, so the full 800km, from Sooke to Sidney, then Port Hardy all the way to Victoria, runs as one continuous story from beginning to end.
What’s new for 2027
Our Journey
The Run
February 6-14th, 2027
It all begins on the Sooke-to-Sidney route on February 6th, alongside our alumni, before the team travels north to Port Hardy to start the main journey south on February 7th, via Port Alberni, all the way to Victoria. Come cheer along the route or meet us at one of 28 stops to support our runners, Canadian Veterans, First Responders, and their families.
THE GALA DINNER
February 27th, 2027
Our grand finale. Join us for an elegant evening celebrating everything achieved throughout the 2027 campaign, with all proceeds supporting Trauma-Exposed Professionals and their families on Vancouver Island.
8 RUNNERS • 800 KMS • 1 CAUSE
THE MOMENTS
WE RUN FOR
“The parents of a young, injured Afghan veteran asked us to come outside and see their son step out in public, out of isolation because of his PTSD. Their thank you for what we do was emotional and profound, and it has stayed with me through every year of running since.”
— Founding Team Member
“It reminds us why we run, who we run for, and the strength that comes from community.”
— Head Runner, on the traditional blessing by Chief Calvin Hunt in Port Hardy.
“This dog saved his life. I understand exactly how he feels, because my service dog saved me and gave me my life back.”
— Support Team Member
MEET OUR 2027 TEAM
JACQUELINE ZWENG
I have served with the Canadian Armed Forces for over 25 years as a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer. In the past two years, I have taken on the role as the Public Affairs Officer at the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific). I am very passionate about volunteering and supporting our uniformed personnel that help keep our communities safe every day. It has been an honour to act as the Director for the Wounded Warrior Run BC since 2018 and I am always eager to help as many people as possible.
SIMON BROWN
Simon Brown is a serving Royal Canadian Navy officer based in Esquimalt, with a family legacy of military service spanning three generations. His operational experience includes deployments from the First Gulf War in 1991 to evacuating Canadians from Lebanon in 2024. Having witnessed firsthand the mental health challenges faced by service members and first responders, Simon deeply values the impact of Wounded Warriors Canada programs. He is honoured to be selected as an Assistant Run Director / Runner in 2027 and looks forward to giving back, pushing limits, and connecting with communities across Vancouver Island.
NATHALIE BUTLER
I am incredibly excited and honoured to be participating in the Wounded Warrior Run BC for the third time. I recently retired from the Canadian Armed Forces after serving 7 years as a Dental Officer. I also grew up in a military family, as my dad served 42 years in the Royal Canadian Navy. I have witnessed the impact PTSD and operational stress injuries have on military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. I’m honoured to run for my friends and loved ones who suffer in silence.
DAN BODDEN
I am a co-founder of the WWRBC and am delighted to return as a Runner in 2027. As a life-long endurance athlete, I wanted to showcase not only the physical but also the mental benefits of regular exercise. Each run can be its own therapy session. Talking is often the first step in removing the social stigma around mental health. Nothing to be ashamed of, no need to hide. As a serving CAF member in the Royal Canadian Air Force, it is important to me to be a leader in this field.
KAREN PETRASCHUCK
I am honoured to be participating in the Wounded Warrior Run for 2027. When I first saw the crew come through Parksville in 2023, I was moved by the stories of the speakers and knew I had to be a part of the movement. I have been with Parksville Fire Rescue as a paid-on-call firefighter since May of 2023. I started running when I was a teenager and have had a passion for it ever since, participating in a number of half marathons and triathlons. I am a strong advocate for staying active and how it has an impact on one's mental health, something I have experienced firsthand. Joining the team has been important to help bring awareness to the mental stress first responders experience.
AARON THOMPSON
I’m honoured to have been selected as a runner for the 2027 Wounded Warrior Run BC, a powerful initiative that champions the mental health of veterans, first responders, and their families.
For the past 18 years, I’ve served with the Saanich Police, witnessing firsthand the emotional toll that frontline service can take. Supporting this cause is deeply personal to me.
As a lifelong Vancouver Islander, I’m especially proud to give back to the communities that have supported me and my young family. I look forward to listening, sharing stories, and continuing the vital conversation around mental health and wellness for all who serve. It’s essential that the supports offered by Wounded Warriors Canada remain accessible to everyone who needs them.
Running has long been a cornerstone of my own mental and emotional well-being. It’s helped me stay grounded, resilient, and prepared for the challenges that come with a life of service. I’m proud to take on the physical demands of this run in support of those who dedicate themselves to protecting others.
LANE DOUGLAS-HUNT
I have been a first responder for 18 years and have seen firsthand the toll that this noble and honourable field can take on my peers. Through my work with my agency's Peer Support Team and the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, I cultivated a working relationship with Wounded Warriors Canada. After many years of experience in this field, there is no doubt in my mind that WWC is the leader in mental health care as well as proactive mental resiliency training for first responders. I am beyond honoured to be a part of their mission.
DEAN DUTHIE
Being a participant on the 2027 Wounded Warrior Run BC team is a true honour and personal highlight of my 31+ years serving with the Saanich Police Department. Throughout my career, I have seen how the impacts of trauma, PSTD, and operational stress injuries have affected many police officers – as well as our fellow service partners in the military, emergency response professionals, and families. As Chief, my top priority is the health and well-being of all staff. It is vital that we continue to strive for excellence – with the assistance of our partners at WWC – to ensure that support systems and programs are available to assist those who require it when they need it most. As I take every stride along the team’s 800 km mission covering the length of Vancouver Island, my mind will be with everyone who is directly and indirectly affected by PTSD/Operational Stress injuries, and my heart will be with everyone who served and who are currently serving with SPD to keep our community safe.
OUR 2027 SUPPORT TEAM
TIM BLACK
Dr. Black has been a trauma and group counselling specialist, educator, clinician, researcher, and program developer for over 20 years. In the first part of his career as a tenured Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology in one of the top counselling psychology graduate programs in Canada, Tim taught, published, and conducted research focused on Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP).
He has worked as a community-engaged researcher/practitioner beyond the halls of academia with Veteran and First Responder communities, local and national organizations, and has co-developed multiple national programs for TExPs and their Trauma Exposed Families (TExF). Tim now serves as Wounded Warriors Canada’s National Clinical Director and we are delighted to have him join us on the 2027 Wounded Warrior Run BC journey.
JOHN PENNER
As a professional photographer and having completed an almost 37-year career in the Royal Canadian Navy, I am a passionate supporter of causes that support and benefit Canadian Veterans, and have been involved with the run since the beginning. I am fortunate not to have suffered with operational stress injuries during my time in uniform, and I feel it is important to help those who have.
AGGIE COWARD
I have been a paramedic throughout BC since 1992, most recently serving in Sayward. I come from a family that has members from each generation proudly serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Remembering the fallen and helping the living are causes that are closest to my heart. Of my three grown children, one is becoming a first responder, and one is pursuing a career in the Canadian Armed Forces. I am a strong advocate for helping others and advancing mental health resources to fellow paramedics.
RAYMOND HALL
Raymond is a Canadian Forces Veteran with 19 years as an Aircraft Technician (ISTech) and 10 years as an RMS clerk (Navy). After suffering physical and mental injuries, he was diagnosed with PTSD and released in 2012. Grateful to have been introduced to the Wounded Warriors Mental Health programs, he is giving back as a Support Team Driver (Moho) and helping with the financial side of the run.
BRAD LANDERS
I have been a Police Officer with the RCMP for almost 20 years, with 15 years being in General Duty / Front Line and 5 years in Traffic Services. In that time I have been exposed to everything from barking dog complaints to murders and everything in between. My personal hero, my grandfather was a WW2 Veteran who was wounded in Italy and sent home but re-enlisted during the Korean conflict to serve his country again. I know firsthand of the toll paid by first responders and armed forces personnel and am proud to be a part of the Wounded Warrior team. This is a cause that makes a difference to all of those who serve to keep our communities and country safe. I am honoured to once again return as the police escort as the team makes its way from Port Hardy to Victoria.
KAREN COCHRANE
Coming from a military family, I joined the Army Reserve at 17, serving 4 years with the 11 Service Battalion. I have recently retired after 29 years as a police officer with VicPD. I have seen firsthand how military and first responder service affects the mental health of family and friends. Coming from the era of “suck it up buttercup”, I am truly grateful for the awareness and programs Wounded Warriors Canada brings to our military and first responders.
OUR ALUMNI
The Wounded Warrior Run BC wouldn’t be possible without our past runners and support crew. We’ve felt incredible support from our communities, and we want to give a special shoutout to our core alumni: Jason Laidman, Rob Brennan, Paul Jones, Francesca Lott, Matt Carlson, Chris Stranger, Yana Hempler, Daryl Baswick, Jeff Kibble, Lori Timpson, Maria Marciano, Pat Bryant, Susan Marcotte, Stephan Marcotte, Amver Cinco, Marissa Morison and Kevin Whiteside. Thank you for your dedication, heart, and the kilometres you’ve put in to make this run what it is.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS THAT MAKE THIS JOURNEY HAPPEN
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO WE GET IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM?
Email Jacqueline@woundedwarriors.ca or call 250-661-4333.
AM I ABLE TO RUN WITH THE TEAM DURING THE EVENT?
If you are interested in applying for a position on the team or to join the team in a smaller portion of the run, please contact jacqueline@woundedwarriors.ca. Please note that this is not an open running event and strict timings are kept to ensure our stops are on time.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AS A SPONSOR?
We have several ways to get involved as a sponsor of the 2027 Wounded Warrior Run BC campaign. Please contact jacqueline@woundedwarriors.ca to receive our 2027 sponsorship pack.
HOW MUCH OF THE FUNDS DONATED GO TO COMMUNITIES ON VANCOUVER ISLAND?
100% of the funds donated from Vancouver Island stay on Vancouver Island. In fact, any money donated on the island comes back tenfold from the rest of Canada to provide life-changing programs on the island.