PETAWAWA, ON – The 2023 IRON WARRIOR (IW 23) marked the 40th anniversary of this annual tradition testing physical fitness and mental resiliency during a 42-kilometre marathon on Friday, and a 21-kilometre sprint on Saturday.
The challenge took them on both land and water with forced marches while carrying weighted rucksacks, canoe portages and paddling on the way to the final march to the finish line.
Day 1: Marathon Option. Approximately 42 km
Ruck 25 km, Portage 2.6 km, Canoe 8 km, Ruck 6 km.
Day 2: Sprint Option. Approximately 21 km
Ruck 9 km, Portage 1 km, Canoe 5 km, Ruck 6 km.
Rucksack’s weight is determined by the approximate percentage of body weight based on the three weight classes listed below.
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 24: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Preparations on August 24, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 25: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Cfn Janique Charlebois of 33 Service Battalion, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Marathon on August 25, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 25: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Pte Marika Jodoin of The Algonquin Regiment, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Marathon on August 25, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 25: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Cpl Liam Cleary of 33 Combat Engineer Regiment, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Marathon on August 25, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 25: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Sgt Michael Cheeseman of 30th Field Artillery Regiment, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Marathon on August 25, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 25: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, 33 Signal Regiment, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Marathon on August 25, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 26: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Sgt Emily Bradley of 33 Signal Regiment, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Sprint on August 26, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 26: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, MCpl Dany Lebel, Sgt Yi Wang of 33 Service Battalion, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Sprint on August 26, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 26: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Pte Wyatt Boothby of The Algonquin Regiment, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Sprint on August 26, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
PETAWAWA, ON – AUGUST 26: Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Cpl Karina Desrosiers of 33 Service Battalion, 33 Canadian Brigade Group during 2 CMBG Iron Warrior – Sprint on August 26, 2023 at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/richardawhittaker.ca)
