Royal Air Force Sergeant Blunden has been crowned champion in the Limassol marathon, while deployed to RAF Akrotiri as part of Operation Shader.
Sergeant Blunden, an RAF Engineer currently deployed as part of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing in RAF Akrotiri won the race in an incredible 02:31.12 after 26.2 miles of stunning coastline in what is the largest sports event in Cyprus.
Both Avionics Technician and runner, Sergeant Blunden has worked challenging days supporting the deployed squadron, and displayed incredible dedication and commitment to his sport, running over 100 miles a week.
Training has been tiring over the last 2 months with long working days, 12 hours, 6 days a week. However, I have been very fortunate that my role as the Document Controller and ESS Data Manager on the Typhoon Detachment has allowed me to remain on permanent day shifts throughout this time. This has given me the consistent sleep, work, train, eat routine that has allowed me to train at the levels required to perform on the day. During the peak weeks I was able average over 110 miles a week.
Sergeant Blunden
RAF Engineer
Sergeant Blunden’s deployed role sees him responsible for several Air Systems and ensuring they are maintained to operational standard; he also ensures quality control and data integrity management of all aircraft documentation. This provides a high level of assurance to the military airworthiness manager.
Limassol Marathon is the official marathon of Cyprus and a key feature on the international calendar, attracting runners from around the world, the course is fast and flat starting and finishing adjacent to the Limassol Marina.
The weather on day was good with temperatures rising to around 17 degrees with the wind being the only real factor to contend with as the course is exposed along the sea front.” Describing the route he said “We first headed west for 10k before u-turning which was good point to see where the competition was, I could see I had made around 50 seconds back to second place, who incidentally which was last year’s winner. We then headed back passed the start finish area to the far east of the course where we met the only undulating section which ran for around 5ks. After another U-turn where my lead had increased only slightly to around 80secs it was 11k into a headwind, I knew if I could hold it together, I was not going to get caught and thankfully I was able to maintain the gap and take the win in Molos Park in a time of 2:31:12.
Sergeant Blunden
RAF Engineer
Royal Air Force Typhoons are deployed to RAF Akrotiri as part of the coalition to defeat Deash in the Middle East, the deployment is part of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing made up of pilots, engineers, and support personnel with the aim of providing armed sorties over Iraq and Syria. The detachment also conducts integration training with partner Air Forces and further training serials where they deploy small teams of personnel and aircraft to train with allies around the region.
It felt great to break the tape first and put the icing on the cake for the previous 8 weeks of training. I really do have to thank the 6 Squadron management team for affording me the time to train alongside a stretched period of both operations and exercises as well as the Royal Air Force Central fund and RAF Athletics Association for their continues support.
Sergeant Blunden
RAF Engineer