Challenge met charity at 8th annual Tough Mountie Challenge

Veterans and first-timers hit Forbes Field on the slopes of Mount Royal to raise funds for pediatric research Saturday.

“Just being a part of this is really awesome,” one participant said, as she prepared to run the 2.5 kilometre race.

“It’s important, I think, for everybody to enjoy and contribute [donations] where they can,” said another after completing the course.

From sled pushing to obstacle climbing, the Tough Mountie Challenge gives a taste of what it takes to train as a police officer.

Pediatric Research Foundation CEO Josée Saint-Pierre says the goal is to raise $220,000.

“The origin was our partnership with the RCMP. [...] They’ve been partners of the foundation for the last 41 years,” she said.

Saint-Pierre says the money raised this year will help to fund child mental illness prevention programs.

“There’s been a lot of calls for young mental health problems. So we want to make sure that the research projects are done in schools or in the community, and that the researchers behind that are really in the place and the location where it’s happening,” Saint-Pierre added.

While the RCMP does not have data on child mental health calls, they reported an increase in overall mental health calls in a police intervention report in 2023.

Chloe Sanscartier has been a RCMP officer for just over one year.

As a female constable, she says she tries her best to manage each situation with sensitivity.

“We just bring a different type of policing, a different side of policing. It’s a lot more, you know, your best tool is your words,” Sanscartier said.

It’s part of women’s strength in law enforcement, she added.

“It’s a great job. I definitely encourage every girl who wants to go down that path to do it. It’s not easy, but we definitely have our place,” the constable told CTV News.

Those who wish to donate can do so through the official Tough Mountie Challenge website.