London Marathon - 13 Apr

By Carl Thompson

'Marathon running is a terrible experience: monotonous, heavy, and exhausting.' - Veikko Karvonen, 1954 European and Boston Marathon Champion

The 100th anniversary of the marathon was won by Kenyan Martin Lel - his third Flora London Marathon title . He led three men under 2:06. In the city where the marathon distance of 26 miles 385 yards was first established at the 1908 Olympics, Lel joined Mexico's Dionicio Ceron and Antonio Pinto of Portugal as a triple London winner, retaining his crown and breaking the six-year-old course record in 2:05:15.

The race was held in cool slightly breezy conditions with a downpour in the later stages of the race with athletes having to cope with a rain-sodden highway towards the Tower and down onto the Embankment. The first British finisher was Dan Robinson, 13th in 2:13:10. At the business end of the field athletes from the three Services were competing for Inter-Service honours.

The Royal Navy secured the Inter-Service Male Senior Team title with Royal Marine and V40 Mark Croasdale recording 2:32:31. The Royal Navy had a clean sweep with the first three servicemen across the line. Male results are shown below.

NAVY

• Cpl. M. Croasdale   02:32.30
• Cpl. W. Dashper   02:36.08
• CPO. A. Jones   02:38.07

07:46.45

ARMY

• WO2. C. Paton   02:38.53
• Maj. S. Weetman   02:39.37
• S/Sgt. M. Lovell   02:45.20

07:53.50

RAF

• Sgt M. Prestwood   02:46.15
• Cpl Marcus Maxwell   02:47:50
• Off Cdt M. Byrne   02:56.37

08:30.42

VETERAN (INDIVIDUAL)

• Cpl. M. Croasdale RN   02:32.30
• Lt. Col. M. Dooley ARMY   02:40.40
• Sgt. P. McGeever ARMY   02:42.16

VETERAN TEAMS

ARMY

• Lt. Col. M. Dooley   02:40.40
• Sgt. P. McGeever  02:42.16
• Maj. L. Keily   02:55.04

08:19.08

RAF

• Sgt M. Stephenson 02:54.36
• Flt Lt M. Saggers 02:55.42
• Sgt N. Bostock 02:58.35 

08:48.53

RN

• Lt. I. Roberts   02:54.58
• PO. S. Cox   02:55.04
• WO1. A. Marshall   03:00.12 

08:50.14

The Inter-Service ladies race gave the athletes the additional challenge of a fairly isolated run around the capital. Starting 45 mins before the main London field with the elite athletes inevitably led to large gaps particularly in the latter stages of the race. The Army team performed very impressively as the results show. It was good to see participation from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force ladies, hopefully in next years race both will field full teams.

LADIES

• Capt. K. Brown ARMY   02:49.21
• Capt. T. Clark ARMY   02:54.02
• Capt. D. Coslett ARMY   02:55.47
• Sgt. S. Morgan ARMY   02:57.57
• S/Sgt. K. Hanniver ARMY   02:58.51
• Lt. Cdr. Z. Rooke RN   03:10.42
• Fg Off L Adams RAF   03:15:31
• Lt. Cdr. C. Lucocq RN   03:19.23
• Cpl C Ward RAF   03:26:40

2008 Royal Air Force Marathon Championships

1. Mark Prestwood M35   2:46:15

2. Marcus Maxwell M35   2:47:50

3. Matt Stephenson M40   2:54:43

4. Matk Saggers M40   2:55:42

5. Mark Byrne M30   2:56:37

6. Nige Bostock M40   2:58:35

7. Ken Ivory M35   2:58:53

8. Craig Metcalf M30   3:01:24

9. Carl Thompson M40   3:01:46

10. Martin Igleson M40   3.10:23

11. Darren Sharpe M30   3:14:07

12. Brett Edgeworth M40   3:20:23

13. Nick Gaulder M25   3:52:22

Athletes from all 3 services are to be congratulated on the spirit in which they conducted themselves on the day.

Inter Service Half Marathon Championships - 16 Mar

By Carl Thompson

'Have you ever felt worse after a run?' - George Sheehan

Athletes from the Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Navy joined over 2100 other runners in the 27th anniversary of the Fleet Half Marathon. The race serves as a warm up for the London Marathon has also held the Inter-Service Championships for a number of years. The majority of the RAF squad were using the race in their build up to the 2008 London Marathon in April. On their home turf the Army are always strong. The task for the RAF in the Inter Service Championship Race was not made any easier by a clash with the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships being held the day before, with some of the elite RAF runners representing their civilian clubs. The Fleet race was held in cool, rainy and windy conditions.

The race winner was Neil Chisolm (Thames Hare and Hounds) in 70 mins 14 sec. Tim Crossland (Army & Leeds City) who was second overall won the Inter Services title. Third was Nigel Leighton (Bristol & West) in 71 mins. The next Service athlete to finish was Royal Marine Mark Croasdale MV 40 (Royal Navy) in 4th place – 71 min 18 sec. Third in the Inter Service event was fellow Marine Wayne Dashper (Royal Navy) – 72 min 123 sec (6th overall).

The Inter Service Women's event was won by Tamsin Clark (Army) in 81 min 45 sec. The fastest RAF man on the day and therefore the RAF Half Marathon Champion for 2008at his first attempt was Flt Lt Tom Bailey (RAF Cranwell) in 74 min 44 sec. Second was Cpl Marcus Maxwell (RAF Benson) 76 min 10 sec and third was RAF triathlete Cpl Darren Sharpe 76 min 44 sec. Cpl Carrie Ward (RAF Kinloss) secured the RAF Ladies title in 94 min 30 sec in a time 5 min 48 secs faster than in 2007. Leading RAF veterans were MV40 was Sgt Nige Bostock (RAF Cosford) 79 min 53 sec, Gp Capt John Lawlor MV 50 – 81 min 06 sec and Flt Lt Shane Connolly 83 min 06 sec.

The Inter Service Team Competition Results tell their own story.

Senior Mens Team ROYAL NAVY AC

• Mark Croasdale   71:18
• Wayne Dashper   72:13
• Al Jones   73:20

3 hr 36 min 51 sec

Ladies Team ARMY

• Tamsin Clark   81:45
• Debbie Cosslet   83:02
• Issy Menzies   83:20

3 hr 58 min 07 sec

Veterans Team ARMY

• Mike Dooley   76:14
• John Castle   77:19
• Pat McGeeverl   78:10

3 hr 51 min 43 sec

Royal Air Force Championships Results - Chip Times- Overall Race Position

Extracted from race results- athletes needed to declare as Royal Air Force

RAF Men

1. Tom Bailey Cranwell   74:09   11th
2. Marcus Maxwell Benson   76:10   15th
3. Daz Sharpe Fylingdales   76:46   22nd
4. Mark Prestwood Lyneham   77:23   24th
5. Matt Stephenson MDHU Peterborough:   78:05   24th
6. Oz Ellis Benson   79:29   43rd
7. Nige Bostock(MV40) Cosford   79:53   45th
8. John Lawlor (MV50) High Wycombe   81:06   58th
9. Richard Kettle Odiham   81:07   59th
10. Shane Connolly (MV40) Waddington   83:12   78th
11. Carl Thompson (MV40) Yeovilton   83:16   79th
12. Mark Saggers (MV40) BWH   84:23   94th
13. Tim Mariner Wyton   85:22   108th
14. John Pozz (MV40) Valley   86:37   110th
15. Craig Metcalf Northolt   86:42   135th
16. Stu Obree Kinloss   86:28   137th
17. Martin Ingleson Lyneham   87:52   153rd
18. Nick Gaulder Wyton   89:57   200th

RAF Ladies

1. Carrie Ward Kinloss   94:30   26th
2. Bev Childs (LV 50) Kinloss   99:34    38th

Total 1.966 Finishers

Athletes from all 3 services are to be congratulated on the spirit in which they conducted themselves on the day. Full results can be obtained from www.fleethalfmarathon.com .

Gallery

St Edmund (Teddy) Hall Relays - 6 Mar

By Carl Thompson

'The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win'  Sir Roger Bannister

The Royal Air Force Road Racing Team returned to Oxford to make their third consecutive appearance in the ”Teddy Hall “Relays. This prestigious road relay event is organised by the Oxford University Cross Country Club and is held at the Roger Bannister "home of the first sub 4 min mile" track, Iffley Road, Oxford. In 2007 the RAF were 10th, 35th & 86th. The over 40 years old men were 2nd Vets Team (24th overall). This year the Teddy Hall Relays were the fifth fixture in the University Road Relay series. The top class starting list consisted of over 160 teams, including mens, ladies and mixed teams and a total of over 530 runners. The race consists of 4 x 3.6 mile legs, each starting and finishing on the Bannister track, taking in Magdalen Bridge, a stretch along the Thames towpath past the college boathouses, over the Donnington Bridge before returning to Iffley Road to finish on the track. Pre-race favourites included defending champions Oxford University, University of London, Cambridge, Bristol, Birmingham and Warwick Universities.

The Royal Air Force had mustered three male senior teams, imaginatively titled RAF "A", "B" and "C" a Veterans team. Many of the participating RAF teams in preparation for the Inter-Service Half Marathon at Fleet Aldershot and the Full Inter-Service marathon held as part of the 2008 London Marathon. Once again the Road Racing Team Manager had to contend with the now traditional RAF Senior/Veteran selection conundrum. Go for best team regardless of age or go for veteran team success. The race was held in cool calm conditions perfect for runners and spectators alike.

The RAF "A" team was led off by Cpl Marcus Maxwell (RAF Benson). The first leg as usual was loaded with team runners aiming for fast times and the usual lightning fast start on the track ensued. Marcus “fresh” from the recent Reading half-marathon was aiming for some faster work in preparation for the upcoming Fleet Inter-Services ½ marathon and the London Marathon race. Marcus recorded a more than useful 19 min 11 sec. Marcus handed over to Benson team mate Cpl Kieran White. Kieran had an excellent race running the fastest RAF time of the day 18 min 33 sec. Third leg was SAC Oz Ellis (also RAF Benson) recording 20min 05 sec. (Just 5 seconds over the elusive sub 20 min barrier). On the final leg Cpl Steve Robinson (RAF Honington) record 19 min 11 sec a 1 min 45 sec improvement on his time from 2007. Steve bringing the RAF home in 11th place with an overall time of 77 mins exactly. A total of one hundred and four teams completed the mens team race.

The quality of this event improves year on year. This is demonstrated by the 2007 result. In 2007 the RAF team recorded a time 3 min 28 sec slower (80 min 28 sec) for 10th place. Overall results for 2008 - Cambridge University first in 72 min 32 sec, Bristol second 73 min 02 sec and third Oxford University 73 min 29 sec. Fastest individual leg of the day was Jon Blackledge (OUCCC) 17 min 06 sec.

Accomplished triathlete Flt Lt Mark Saggers (RAF Henlow) led off the RAF Veterans team. Mark recording a more than useful 19 min 36 sec. Mark was followed by Sgt Al Turnbull (RAF Honington) Al fresh from his seventh place in the 2008 Inter-Service Senior Mens Cross Country ran an outstanding time of 18 min 44 sec (44 seconds faster than 2007). WO Pete Golding (V50) showed excellent form considering his recent long term overseas deployment to record 20 min 21 sec. Team Manager Flt Lt Carl Thompson (RNAS Yeovilton) also improved on his 2007 time by 44 secs to record 20 min 44 sec. Finishing 13th overall the RAF veterans secured victory in this event for the very first time. The RAF veterans squad finishing well clear of the nationally ranked Oxford City AC team in 16th place.

The RAF "B" Team consisted of Chf Tech Carl Rice (RAF Lyneham), returning to form in 20 min 57 sec, SAC Nick Gaulder (RAF Wyton) 22 min 41 sec, Flt Lt Brad Goggin (RAF Northwood) 22 min 23 sec and Sgt Nige Bostock (RAF Cosford) 21 min 11 sec. The “B “ team secured 38th place.

The RAF "C" Team consisted of four RAF Northolt runners. They were led off by the Southern Services Cross country League Organiser Sgt Jon Leigh (21 min approx), followed by Cpl Craig Metcalf (21 min approx) who made the very most of the afternoon by also running legs for their civilian club Hillingdon AC. Just as well as the finest academic minds in the country failed to record their RAF times. Jon recorded 21 min 40 secs and Craig 21 min 56 sec on their second laps for Hillingdon AC. SAC Steve Queen (21 min 36 sec) and SAC Jed Gaff (23 min 44 sec) completed the Northolt quartet. The C Team finished in a more than respectable 45th place.

Further details of the results are available from the Oxford University Cross-Country Club (OUCCC) website .

Finally I would like to thank those RAF Athletes who took the plunge to try this event and would urge those who missed out to consider competing next year. The sub 20 min barrier at Teddy Hall is a pretty good target.

A total of 8 different RAF runners have achieved the elusive sub 20 min. With Al Turnbull and Marcus Maxwell going for the hat trick of sub 20 min times in 2009? The team manager is rather optimistically looking for a 45 second improvement next year when he will also be 45 years old. Could you add your name to the list? It really was a great day out and it was good to see the RAF team compete in the relay format.

Results

Oxford University Web Site

Henlow 10 - 14 Nov

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

The 55th annual Henlow 10 was held in ideal cool calm and sunny conditions. The course takes runners on an A to B route from the Old Warden Aerodrome back to RAF Henlow. It follows mainly minor roads and takes in a few challenging hills on the way. A total of 223 runners completed the course comprising of mainly RAF personnel, MOD employees and local civilian clubs including Stopsley Striders, St Albans Striders, Bedford Harriers and Fairland Valley Spartans. It was also pleasing to note that RAF Kinloss ladies had travelled down from SCotland to compete.

Pre race favourite, and last years race winner, SAC Matt Blunden from RAF Waddington led from start to finish recording an outstadning time of 52mins 46secs - the best recorded time in recent years. Second was Cpl Marcus Maxwell from RAF Benson in 56 mins 53 secs and third was triathlete Sgt Greg MacDonald in 57 mins 11 secs keeping clear of fellow triathletes Sgt Matt Stephenson and Cpl Daz Sharpe, RAF Fylingdales. First Veteran and 6th overall was Sqn Ldr Simon Bell, RAF High Wycombe, in 58 mins 24 Secs. The Ladies showed that age is no barrier with veterans taking the first two places. First lady overall was D Steer (LV35) St Albans Striders in 63 mins 30 secs, second F Bower (LV45) RAF Honington in 77 mins 58 secs and third was F Fisher of Bedford Harriers in 69 mins 11 secs. Ladies RAF Champion was WO Bev Childs of RAF kinloss (LV45) in 71 mins 57 secs leading team mate (2nd RAF) Cpl Carrie Ward 72 mins 18 secs.

The Male team race saw RAF Waddington team of Matt Blunden, Clive Wintrip, Gary Melton and D Malcolm (56 points) just pip Brampton Wyton and Henlow (58 points) team of Mark Saggers, M Jenkins, Carl Thompson and M Mabbott. The Ladies team race was won by St Albans Striders (D Steer, F Walls and A Wilkes) with RAF Kinloss in second (K Spratt, Bev Childs and Carrie Ward).

Other participants included football commentator John Motson (MV50) representing St Albans Striders - 100 mins 48 secs and WO Tony Paterson RAF Benson - 93 mins 56 secs. Tony has been a running stalwart over the years and is now in the final year of his RAF career. Tony has done much for RAF running events over the years including a 2 hr 42 mins marathon at RAF swinderby, Cyprus walkabout and organising the RAF Benson 7 mile race many times. We wish him well and welcome him back at anytime. My Dad also came down to keep an eye on him. Representing Scarborough AC (68 yrs young) he secured 132nd place and a time of 82 mins 29 secs.

Many thanks to the Station Commander Group Captain Bruce for hosting the race, starting duties and presenting prizes, Fg Off Ben Dyson for coordinating the event and acting as the overall Project Officer, Sgt Steve Swift and the Physical Education Staff for their support, the race marshalls and local Police, Ian Kevan from Ultra Sport and Dick Hughes and Mark Grainger (Running Imp) for providing race timing and results.

Results

Full Results

Gallery

History of the Event

RAF Road Relays - 3 Oct

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

A total of 9 teams attended the 2007 Royal Air Force Road Relay Championships held for the first time at RAF Honington in Suffolk. The competition looked to be between last years winners RAF Honington, Waddington, High Wycombe and Brampton Wyton Henlow (BWH). The race was held in damp conditions with a light breeze on a flat out and back course. the opening leg saw an epic battle between Simon Bell of High Wycombe and Daz Priest of BWH with just 1 second seperating them as they recorded times of 15mins 57secs and 15mins 58secs respectively. Benson were in third with a useful 16mins 39secs from Oz Ellis. Paul Vernon, 16mins 43secs, secured a lead for BWH on the second leg, Steve Robinson (16:30) moved Honington up into second place from fifth. The third leg saw Carl Thompson V40 (17:21) hang onto the BWH lead with Honington remaining in second. Wayne Lovejoy (18:17). Waddington had advanced into third place (Daz Wigmore 16:44).

As the runners set off on the final leg it looked like BWH would secure victory - however Matt Blunden - fresh from a 70 min Great North Run half marathon 3 days earlier ran an astonishing time of 14mins 34secs to overhaul Mark Saggers BWH (16:53). Matt securing a 25 sec victory for the Waddington team (66:30). BWH remained in second (66:55) with Al Turnbull (15:30) bringing Honington home in third (67:10). Thanks to Cpl Steve Robinson of Honington PEd Flt for organising the event.

Results

Results

Benson 7 - 20 Sep

By Cpl Marcus Maxwell

The 43rd annual Benson 7 Road Race took place at 1400 on Thu 20 Sep 07. A total of 80 competitors from as far a field as Leeming toed the line, which was started by WO Tony Paterson, who was in his final year of organising the event.

In blustery conditions the race commenced and from the gun a group of 3 athletes; SAC Matt Blunden (Waddington), Wg Cdr Dave Cole (HQSTC) and Cpl Joe Rafferty (Cranwell) set about pulling away from the chasing athletes. As they rounded the first corner and up the aptly named Beggarbush Beast ( a beast of a hill) Blunden started to set out his stall of running a fast time, closely followed by Cole and Rafferty. As Blunden began to show his class and pull away a battle ensued between Cole the experienced master and the young newcomer Rafferty. Behind them Cpl Kieron White (Leeming) gave chase, closely followed by Cpl Marcus Maxwell running on home soil.

At around the 2-mile point the inclement weather gave way to an early autumnal storm of driving rain coupled with gale force winds. This made an already difficult course all the more arduous. However, this did not deter Blunden as he forged further ahead into the 2nd lap opening up an unassailable lead over the trailing runners. Blunden crossed the line in 36:32, a time, which has not been bettered for a number of years. Cole and Rafferty battled it out for 2nd and 3rd place but through the final stages Cole's strength, experience and determination came to the fore as he opened up a 20 seconds gap over Rafferty to take 2nd spot in 37:52. Rafferty held on well for the final podium position crossing the line in 38:12, proving that he is a talent to be reckoned with in the forthcoming cross country season. White and Maxwell made up the minor places both easily breaking the benchmark of 40 minutes with times of 38:46 and 39:06 respectively.

In the ladies race, which had a higher representation this year was won by Cpl Jodie Digby (Halton). Digby, who has been one of the leading female runners within the RAF for the past couple of years crossed the line 46:53 to finish a very credible 24th position overall. Almost a minute later Fg Off Griffith (Brize Norton) took second place for 29th overall in 47:50 with 3rd place being filled by the gritty Sqn Ldr Roe (Wittering) in 49:23 for 35th overall. The male team prize went to RAF Benson made up of Cpl Maxwell, SAC Ellis, Mr Engleby and Flt Lt Pocket.

Special thanks should be extended WO Tony Paterson who over the years has been instrumental in the smooth running of the Benson 7. Now in the twilight years of his running career Tony posted very good times in his heyday, running a sub 33-minute 10km and a 2 hour 42 minute marathon. As the years have crept up on him it has not deterred him from embracing the ethos of running which are determination and sportsmanship. Tony has been a great character over the years and will be greatly missed by all involved with RAF running.

Results

Winners

Full Results

Honington 10K - Interservice Championships

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

A total of 188 athletes from the Royal Air Force, Army and local civilian clubs participated in the 2007 Inter-Services and Royal Air Force 10 km Road Running Championships once again hosted by RAF Honington. A total of 110 athletes competed in 2006 so the additional attendance of another 78 athletes was a remarkable improvement given the current operational tempo. With none of the Royal Navy athletes able to attend this year the Inter-Service Race the team race was between the Army and the Royal Air Force. I am also pleased to report that Group Captain Russ La Forte the Honington Commanding Officer set a superb example by participating in the race.

It should also be noted that runners from as far afield as RAF Aldergrove, Spadeadam and Boulmer had also made the necessary arrangements to compete and represent their respective units.

Mr Stan Cox 87-years –young started the Honington race. Stan, who has lived in Felixstowe for 25 years served in the RAF Regiment and was an Great Britain International from 1939-1956. Stan competed in the London Olympics of 1948, racing on the track over 10,000m and four years later he ran the Olympic marathon in Helsinki. He also represented his country at the Commonwealth Games of 1954, which were held in Vancouver, Canada. Stan has a lifetime marathon best of 2 hours 18 minutes. I also understand that he has written to Lord Sebastian Coe at the National Olympic Committee asking for him to be considered as a potential candidate to light the Olympic Torch at London in 2012. If he is successful in his quest remember where you saw him first!

The race was held in overcast but very humid conditions. The RAF had assembled a useful squad but was unable to call on the services of Matt Blunden, Ben Livesey, Lee Athersmith and Tom Bailey – all unavailable but for very good reasons. The Army team was also in a similar position not being able to secure all of their leading runners. So the team race looked to be wide open.

The race winner was Gunner Craig Williams (Army) in a time of 32 min28 sec, closely followed 2 seconds later by Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (RAF Boulmer) maintaining his road form after recent Mountain Running Exploits in Italy and fell races in England. Sgt Kev Sheppard (Army) was third 1 second behind Matt. It should be explained that Craig had broken clear around the 8km mark but took an unscheduled detour close to the finish. The leading three runners then sensibly took the correct and sporting decision to regroup and finish in the correct order.

The leading lady was Mrs Jordan representing a local civilian club in 37 min 39 sec. The Inter-Service Ladies Champion was Cpl Issy Menzies (Army) 38 min 08 sec. The Inter Service Ladies Race was clean sweep for the Army with Capt Brown second in 38 min 27 sec and third Sgt Kelly Hanniver 41 min 04 sec. The leading ladies veteran in the Honington “Open Race” was Jenny Wren from Brampton 42 min 12 sec. The leading RAF finisher was Sqn Ldr Jo Roe in 44 min 58 sec. The Inter-Service Veteran Title was won by Wing Commander Dave Cole 5th overall 33min 43 sec, second was Sgt Duncan Bell Army 10th overall and third Capt Young 17th overall.

The Inter-Service team race was extremely close. It is summarised below:

ARMY total of 38 points. RAF total of 40 Points

I would like to thank the following:

Group Captain Russ La Forte - the Honington Commanding Officer for once again allowing Honington to host the Inter-Services and RAF 10km Road Race Championships.

Group Captain Richard Gammage the new RAF Athletics Association Chairman for his support and attendance on the day.

Cpl Steve Robinson who ably stepped into WO Pete Golding's shoes to organise the event.

Finally I also congratulate all athletes on the spirit in which they conducted themselves on the day.

Results provided by Running Imp - Mark Granger.

Results

Results

Challenge Stellina - RAF Runners Tackle Italian Mountain Challenge

By Flt Lt Matt Whitfield

The Idea

After a couple of pints in the Red Lion in Wendover following our narrow defeat in the Inter-Services Cross Country Championships, Carl Thompson and I decided that it would be a good idea to take some of the distance runners to participate in an overseas event. Another couple of pints later and the idea had evolved to perhaps tackle a mountain race. European mountain races are predominantly uphill only and usually consist of a mixture of grass, road and good tracks underfoot. We ended the evening deciding that I would do some research and investigate possible events to take part in. The first 2 races that I contacted were the Matterhornlauf in Switzerland and Challenge Stellina in Italy. These are 2 of the most prestigious events in Europe and fall conveniently between the end of the track season and the start of the road and cross country season. I was pleasantly surprised to receive an almost immediate reply from the secretary of Athletica Susa, organising club of Challenge Stellina. He offered us places in the race, 3 nights hotel accommodation and transport to and from Turin airport. This seemed like too good an opportunity to miss and quickly received the approval of the RAFAA Chairman. We subsequently received clearance from The RAF Sports Board and the relevant diplomatic channels and we were good to go.

The Team

We wanted to ensure that we sent the strongest team possible for the event and quite a long period of selection took place. Difficulties we were faced with included OOA detachments and the fact that the event took place over the Aug bank holiday weekend with the inevitable pressures on those individuals under the thumb. In the end we set off for sunny Italy with a strong team consisting of Matt Blunden, Marcus Maxwell, Tom Bailey and myself in the men's competition. The women's team comprised Helen Taylor, Emma Middleton and Carrie Ward.

The Trip

We all managed to assemble at Luton airport on the Fri morning in good time for our Easy jet flight to Turin. As we flew over the Alps we caught our first glimpse of the terrain we would shortly be faced with – Matt Blunden chose not to look and busied himself reading about the exploits of Ron Hill. On arrival in Turin, we were met by a representative of Athletica Susa and were transported the 40km to Susa with a police escort – the reason for this never was ascertained! It was during this journey that we realised that we might have some language problems during the trip. Our combined Italian knowledge consisted of “Ciao Bella” and our driver spoke little English. We were accommodated in the high quality Hotel Napolean with additional meals provided in a local Pasta restaurant. It was at this establishment that I decided to switch to speaking French (the border was only 20km away) and proceeded to ask the Italian restaurant owner whether he spoke Italian! From this point, Helen (posh) assumed all language duties following her admission to studying Latin at school. Later that evening we were presented to the people of Susa at a ceremony – thankfully I was not called upon to make a speech! The race is run in memory of those involved in the resistance movement during the Second World War and as a military team we were made to feel particularly welcome.

The Race

After a relaxing Saturday spent jogging, resting and eating ice-creams (girls only for the latter activity) race day was on us. Both men's and female's events started at 0845; however, the girls started some 6.5 km and 800 metres higher up the mountain. Just before the start, Marcus was given some advice by 5 times world champion, 3 times Olympian and 8 times winner of this event, Jon Wyatt of New Zealand. The guidance basically consisted of starting slow – something we had every intention of doing bearing in mind that the course was 14.5 km with 1695 of vertical ascent! The girls were faced with an 8 km course with 800 metres of vertical ascent. Equal opportunists might argue that this was in someway sexist; however, I don't recall any excuse from the girls. It would be fair to say that all team members found the course a serious challenge. The gradient, heat and altitude combined to make it a very tough race and all team members produced creditable performances. In the ladies event won in approximately 50 minutes, Helen led the way for the RAF with 17th place in 1.02.08. She was backed up by Emma in 31st in 1.10.09 and Carrie in 36th in 1.11.20. The RAF women placed 14th team. In the men's event, I managed to ignore my own advice by setting off too quickly and fading from 8th to 14th in the second half of the race finishing in 1.32,01. I was quickly followed by Dr Tom Bailey in 27th 1.42.08. Marcus Maxwell clearly benefiting from the advice of the world champion came in 35th in1.47.12 and Matt “Ron” Blunden closed the team in 57th in 1.55.59. This was a brave performance from Matt who was struggling with a stomach bug. The men's team finished in 3rd position and we enjoyed a brief moment of glory on the podium.

Following a couple of hours sunbathing and enjoying the view up at 2000 metres altitude, we took a precarious mini-bus ride back down the mountain to our hotel. The afternoon was spent sleeping, eating ice-cream, drinking Tennants Super (A local favourite!) or a combination of all 3. The evening saw us all fully recovered and on our way to the Susa International Beer Festival, an event that proved to be almost as arduous as the mountain race. In summary, the trip proved to be a great success. We were very well looked after by our hosts at Athletica Susa and particular thanks must go to the club president, Mr Adriano Aschieris for his excellent hospitality. All team members managed to produce good performances in difficult conditions. Hopefully this will have provided the participating athletes with an excellent springboard to the road and cross-country season.

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