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MONT-TREMBLANT, Québec, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nine Canadian military Veterans living with chronic pain reached the summit at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec on September 9, completing a 10-kilometre climb for the fifth annual Military Veteran Alpine Challenge (MVAC). The climb was the culmination of an eight-month program run by the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE).
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The eight months leading up to the climb combine chronic pain education, physical preparation, an understanding of military culture, and peer support. Participants join clinical education sessions led by healthcare professionals, covering military culture and mindset, pain science, behaviour change, sleep, and the psychology of pain. Alongside those sessions, they work with their own healthcare teams to build toward the physical demands of the climb.
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“After nearly 18 years in the Army, carrying heavy rucksacks, running obstacle courses, and jumping out of planes and trucks, my back and knees had taken a beating,” said Russ Beaton, an MVAC participant. “Over the past eight months, the program helped me better understand my chronic pain and gave me practical strategies to manage it in my daily life. Learning from knowledgeable clinicians and connecting with other Veterans who understand the challenges of pain made a real difference. Reaching the summit at Mont-Tremblant together was an incredible achievement and a reminder of what is possible when you have the right support.”
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MVAC was built to support Veterans navigating life after service and the health care system. While a member is serving, the Canadian Armed Forces is responsible for their health care. On release, that responsibility shifts to provincial and territorial systems, and Veterans are left to manage pain and rebuild a routine in a system that was not designed around military experience. MVAC is designed to equip participants with the tools to navigate this reality and their chronic pain while preparing them physically and mentally for a demanding climb.
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“Reaching our fifth Military Veteran Alpine Challenge is a testament to the commitment and resilience of every Veteran who has taken part,” said Tom Hoppe, MVAC Program Lead. “MVAC is not about reaching the summit alone. It is about helping Veterans develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage chronic pain, build connections with others, and discover what is possible when they challenge themselves in a supportive environment.”
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After the hike, Veterans continue in group sessions designed to carry the momentum of the program into their everyday routines, and graduates are invited back as leaders and mentors. This year, graduates Synika Gee and Ryan Mitchell took on leadership roles during the Mont-Tremblant challenge, part of a peer-support network that has grown with every cohort since 2022.