Page 147 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

The 25th Inter Corps Cross Country Championships took place on Wednesday 1 March 2017 hosted by the Intelligence Corps. The location for this year’s event was the surrounding area within the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) at Chicksands. Just over 200 male and female athletes from 7 different Corps lined up on the start line ready to compete for the winner’s trophy. However, the planned course was somewhat shambolic and resembled the Krypton Factor obstacle course rather than a XC race. The start and nish area consisted of two strips of mine tape and a ag and as for the course, athletes had to dodge and hurdle dust bins, BBQs, kids’ toys and endure several tight bottlenecks.
After several years of dominating the XC scene the Corps lost its way and spent several years battling at the wrong end of the results table. However, the tables are slowly starting to turn and after this year’s performances, both team and individually, things are looking positive. With the commitment of both seasoned and new athletes the Corps was able to eld full teams in all 3 categories - senior male, male masters and female. The nucleus of the athletes that competed this year ranged from virgin XC runners such as SSgt Michael Combe and SSgt Craig Morton to the old and bold of WO2 Kelly Haniver and Major Jimmy Hendrickson MBE. However, regardless of experience, age or level of tness every athlete that donned the infamous ‘Red and Black’ vest did themselves and the RAPTC proud.
After the results were compiled, almost 90 minutes after the last runner crossed the line, we were rallied to the gymnasium for a prize giving that was on par with the recent Oscar Awards. However, it did eventually reveal that the male masters’ team nished a creditable 4th, the senior male team nished a praiseworthy 3rd and the female team performed outstandingly well and were crowned the 2017 Inter Corps Female Champions.
Sadly, the Inter XC Championships saw Major Barry Stoddart compete for the RAPTC for the last time. Major Stoddart transferred into the RAPTC in Dec 1996 and made his mark right from the start. His reputation as an exceptionally talented athlete was already well known throughout both the Army and RAPTC having already been crowned the Army Individual XC Champion in 1994. A larger than life character, Major Stoddart has competed in XC and athletics at Corps, Army and Inter Service levels over the past three decades. He applied a “lead from the front” approach and with his relentless energy and dedication to his sport he has competed at the forefront of every event or discipline he has competed or taken part in. Major Stoddart’s infectious enthusiasm and inspirational performance has encouraged countless RAPTCIs and athletes to take part and to excel. Legend is an overused word – but it is the only word to describe Major Stoddart’s efforts throughout his illustrious career.
Away from the Inter Corps XC, the RAPTC have had a number of athletes represent the Army and Inter Services. At the Inter
RAPTC Female Inter Corps Champs 2017
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RAPTC ROAD AND CROSS COUNTRY
WO1 (SMI) C Paton RAPTC
Past and present RAPTC Athletes RAPTC Athletes after the Inter Service 2017 RAPTC Female Team
Service XC Championships, hosted by the RAF, the RAPTC had three athletes representing the Army. Army Female Team Captain and evergreen athlete WO2 Haniver and experienced athletes SSgts Gareth Young and Daz Farrugia raced against their Navy and RAF counterparts. WO2 Haniver’s performance helped the female team to retain their title whilst Young and Farrugia both produced solid runs which saw them both count towards the team’s nal score. Sadly the Army senior male team could only attain a runners-up position against talented RAF team.
On the road, WO2 Haniver represented the Army at both the Inter Service Championships at the Abbey 10km and the Inter Service Half Marathon Championships and is currently the Inter Service Female Master Champion in both events. Furthermore, three RAPTCIs – WO1 Paddy Paton, SSgts Russ Hughes, and Michael Combe along with Sgt Nerys Jones, who is currently on her PTI Class 1 Course, lined up with their Navy and RAF colleagues and 38,000 fellow competitors at the start of the Inter Service Marathon Championships (London Marathon). The efforts of all the athletes ensured that the Army achieved a clean sweep in the senior, male masters and female championships.
The RAPTC XC and Road Teams remain two of the most successful sports for the Corps. This success has only been achieved as a result of the commitment of our athletes who sacri ce their personal time to train and to travel to events; often at weekends, to represent the RAPTC. I would like to thank every athlete, and supporter, who has reinforced the true meaning of