Reservists from the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment headed off at 5 a.m. from the Cobourg Garrion on Wilmott Street in Cobourg to begin their 100 Mile March on Monday, July 8, 2019.
The march which is 160 kilometres will end on July 9 at approximately 7 p.m. in Belleville.
In total there will be approximately 15 members of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment who will participate in the march from Cobourg garrison to the Peterborough garrison and then on Tuesday march to the Belleville garrison stopping along the way at cenotaphs to pay respects to the fallen.
Acting Commanding Officer Major Roy van den Berg said the march represents the hundreds of miles the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment marched through the Sicily campaign, Italian campaign and through north western Europe, particularly through Holland during the Second World War.
The reservists are are traveling approximately 10 kilometres an hour and it’s estimated they will arrive at the cenotaph in Peterborough at 4 p.m.
Major van den Berg said the soldiers marching are very fit.
“It’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and getting there in one piece.”
“Your body will go much further if your mind is behind it.”
“Through the use of teamwork they can overcome them. Especially the physical ones by keeping a good sense of humour, keeping conversation. The only challenge is the distance and it’s only a challenge because in peoples minds 100 miles is a long distance, which it is, but in reality if you put your mind to it and if you’re physically able to do it you shouldn’t have any problems doing it at all.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
