EDMONTON — Police have concluded their search for an Edmonton-based soldier who went missing early Thursday while jogging by a river with eight of his peers — but without locating the man.

"At this point, there's nothing for us to look for here," police spokeswoman Claire Seyler said Friday afternoon.

Master Cpl. Richard Curnow was last seen about 7 a.m. on Thursday while training for an upcoming run with his fellow soldiers by the North Saskatchewan River.

His family described his disappearance as "inexplicable" and extremely worrying.

Police, fire, search-and-rescue and military crews spent the past two days searching the river and surrounding areas for the missing 25-year-old.

The search covered 12 square kilometres, including some neighbourhoods near the University of Alberta.

Friends also turned to the Internet to spread the word of Curnow's disappearance.

"Attention everyone!!! Please keep ur eyes out for mcpl Richard curnow . . ." read one message posted on Facebook. "This is a strange and sad event that's happening right now. If anyone knows anything about his disappearance please contact Edmonton police or garrison army base!! Let's bring mcpl curnow home to his family!!"

Another message simply vowed, "we'll find you Curnow, whatever it takes."

Curnow, who joined the Canadian Forces in April 2004, has served two tours in Afghanistan working in the counter-explosive unit.

He disappeared during a 10-kilometre jog with eight others from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

The run was training for the Canadian Death Race, a 125-kilometre trek through the mountains that is set for late July and early August in Grande Cache, Alta.

Curnow was last seen during the first few kilometres of the run.

After realizing Curnow was missing, the other joggers waited for him in the park for 90 minutes before they called the base.

Capt. Josh Bowen said military searchers plan to continue looking for their comrade for the rest of the day or until they are told to stop.

"It's one of my guys," said Bowen, who has worked with Curnow for the past six months. "It's not a good feeling."

Bowen described Curnow as a reliable soldier in peak physical condition.

The soldiers are familiar with the route they were running, he said, adding that Curnow was a reliable soldier who had never been absent without leave.

Curnow was not a member of PPCLI, but he frequently trained with them.

Family members of the missing soldier arrived at the park Friday morning.

His estranged wife, Justine MacKenzie-Curnow, said the soldier spent Wednesday night watching their three-year-old daughter while she was at work.

"I couldn't ask for a better co-parent," MacKenzie-Curnow said.

She said her "stomach dropped" when she heard the news Thursday afternoon.

"My daughter needs a father," she said.

jsnyder@edmontonjournal.com