Page 178 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
ARMY INTER-CORPS XC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022
WO2 (QMSI) R Davies RAPTC
The Army Inter-Corps Cross Country Champs took place on Wed 23 Feb 22, kindly hosted by the Royal Signals. The 29th edition of the race brought us back to Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), Bulford, a firm favourite for cross country runners due to its ‘lumpy’ terrain. Most race admin instructions contain a postcode for the venue, not this time – we were treated to a 10-figure grid for the start point along with our trusty RAPTC gazebo for shelter. It was great to see the team huddling under the Gazebo and a sea of RAPTC tracksuits – with plenty of catching up to do after a 2-year break from the event.
After some great individual RAPTC performances throughout the 2021/22 XC season, we knew the RAPTC had a strong team leading into the event. That said, with RAPTCIs spread far and wide across the UK, the hardest part is getting everyone to the start line! Thanks to our team manager, SSgt Aaron Woodman, the RAPTC team sheet was filled with volunteers ready to toe the line. Many were familiar faces, but we also welcomed SSgt Baz Mairs and Sgt Ricky Montacute into the men’s team for their first outing in the coveted black and red vest.
Cross Country - when the gun goes off there’s nowhere to hide. With 200+ selected ‘Corps runners’ putting themselves into zone 5 from the off, there’s no such thing as a steady start at Army XC
races. Most will have eyed up the first bottleneck of the race and would’ve made the decision to be there first to avoid losing vital seconds. 800m into the race (and already regretting a fast start), I found myself in a familiar situation with SSgt Aaron Woodman drifting off into the distance as usual, followed by Sgt Tom Kirby, SSgt Andy Briggs and I in arrowhead formation, surrounded by a sea of black and red vests who’ve been secretly training throughout the winter. Naturally, the field spread out rapidly as we negotiated the undulating 8km course which managed to hit every summit on the area – or at least it felt like it. Approx. 30 minutes later we were all over the finish line and, filled with endorphins, the pain of the race was immediately forgotten.
After some commendable performances amongst an exceptional field of athletes, the RAPTC picked up some well-earned silverware, both in the individual and team categories. As individuals, SSgt Aaron Woodman took 3rd overall, with SSgt Andy Briggs taking the win in the veteran category and WO2 Daz Farrugia clipping his heels to take 2nd place. In the ladies’ race, Capt (MAA) Kelly Haniver took 3rd place in the master’s category. These great individual performances, coupled with our strength in depth across the teams, resulted in all 3 RAPTC teams earning a spot on the podium. A great day for RAPTC Cross Country!
Capt Haniver clearly enjoying her race
SSgt Jones in the finishing straight
Sgt Kirby in the zone
WO2 Davies sprints for the finish
WO2 Mills working hard to the end
RAPTC Women’s Team - 3rd Place
SSgt Briggs - Men’s Masters Champion
WO2 Farrugia - Men’s Masters Runner Up
RAPTC Men’s Masters Team Champions