Rileys competition an exercise in teamwork

About 100 members of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry battled it out during the 13th annual Tough Soldier competition Saturday, at Valens Conservation Area.

They were off and running for the competition known as Exercise Resolute Riley.

It’s the first opportunity for the entire regiment to gather after a busy summer.

The soldiers compete in pairs in a four kilometre cross-country race, where they wade across Valens Lake, do a trail run carrying a 50 pound pack and race to the finish line.

Lt-Col Dan Stepaniuk of the Rileys says that along with the physical training, the exercise helps the soldiers bond. “It emphasizes and reinforces the values that we hold important in the infantry, that everything has to be done as a team.”

One pair – Mike Watson and Nicholas Ellens – says it helps them be a part of the team, and help build discipline and physical fitness.

Ellens, 25, joined when he was 16, “mostly because it was an adventure.”

“It’s been really good for me and I’ve had a lot of really good opportunities through it.”

The winning team is awarded the Nicolazzo Trophy, named after Cpl Frank Nicolazzo, a member of the RHLI who died in a traffic accident.

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