Double-amputee soldier completes 5K run

After spending more than a year learning how to walk on special carbon-fibreprosthetic legs, Master Cpl. Jody Mitic wanted to run.

Mitic, 32,who lost bothfeet in Afghanistan more than twoyears ago,ran five kilometres on Sundayto help raise money for a Toronto-arearehabilitation hospital.

Mitic, a member of the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment battle group based in Petawawa, Ont.,stepped on a land mine during a routine patrol in January 2007.

His career as a professional sniper and an elite soldier was over. His longroad to recovery began at St. John's Rehab Hospitalin Willowdale, Ont., where helearned how to walk on prosthetic legs.

On Sunday, Mitic ran in the Achilles Canada St. Patrick's Day run through downtown Toronto in a time of 38 minutes.Despite experiencing pain,Mitic shaved off eight minutes from his time in last year's race.

"Pretty sure I probably would have stopped at least twice, but everybody was there to cheer me on, so it was good," Mitic said after the race.

Mitic was accompanied by members of hisregiment and Canada'schief of defence staff, Gen. Walter Natynczyk.

The team raised $40,000 for the rehabilitation hospital and expect more pledges to come.

Natynczyk said Mitic'sachievement demonstrates thesoldier's"courage to bounce back."

"It speaks a lot of his spirit, his strength of character, his leadership that he could organize this kind ofthing and inspire everybody else," he said.

Even as he was running, Mitic said his mind was on his fellow soldiers bound for Afghanistan.

"I wish I could go with them,"he said.

Those wishing to make pledges to Mitic's team can do so at www.stjohnsrehab.com/jodymitic.