Page 133 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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The RAPTC Annual Triathlon Championships were also held alongside the Army Standard Distance Championships (Inter Corps) at Cotswold Water Park with the presentation being conducted by our own Commandant. The results were as follows:
RAPTC Triathlon Championships
1st – WO2 (QMSI) Neil Ferguson, 2nd – Sgt (SI) Andy Syrett, 3rd – Capt (MAA) Bren Reese, 4th – Sgt (SI) Kev Richardson, 5th – Maj (MAA) Ian Phillips
The plan for this season is to retain the Army Championship title through various training camps and utilising races up to the event. Capt (MAA) Irving RAPTC is also travelling back to France in July with an RAPTC team to tackle the arduous Alpe du Huez triathlon.
The RAPTC is always looking for new talent, so if you think you have what it takes or just want a new challenge then please visit the ‘Army Triathlon Association’ Moss site for more information on RAPTC Triathlon and a full list of upcoming events.
WO2 (QMSI) N Ferguson RAPTC Triathlon Champion 2015
The 26th Inter Corps Cross Country Championships took place on Wednesday 2 March 2016 hosted by the Army Medical Services. The battle eld for this year’s event was the surrounding training area of Keogh Barracks, Aldershot. Male and female athletes from 8 different Corps took to the start line ready to test their speed and endurance around a reasonably at course. After withstanding the pre-race heavy downpour the 6.2 mile male and 3.4 mile female course held up well, with a few sporadic muddy sections thrown in for good measure. In fact, by the start of the race, the rain clouds had drifted off and conditions were more favourable as athletes battled against their counterparts in almost ideal running conditions.
As the RAPTC XC Secretary, the primary responsibilities of team selection which should be a rather easy task given we are the leading experts on physical development. Furthermore, on paper, the RAPTC has a number of outstanding, quality athletes and could potentially eld a formidable and terrifying array of talent. However, getting them to the start line is a trick that not even the best of magicians could conjure up. This year was no different and as a result of work commitments and injuries the Corps had to withdraw the male veteran team and could only eld a senior male and female team into the championships.
However, despite the depleted team list and the changeable weather, the attitude of the dedicated athletes was upbeat and positive. A strong and energetic bond surrounding the RAPTC teams was evidential to every other Corps teams as athletes prepared for the challenge
that lay ahead. The Army of Red and Black athletes who had travelled from around the country, gave up their Post Operational Tour Leave or were carrying slight injuries understood the importance of team cohesion as they donned their running attire.
Corps XC is going through a transition phase after dominating the XC scene for many years. It seems that more and more instructors fear being outside in the elements, have an incessant need to be less than 100m away from a Bever t frame or are anxious about the backlash from putting their “out of of ce” on. Running is simply the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put in. Only athletes understand the logic behind racing as every aspect of it is harsh. There is no substitute to training and the term “junk miles” is never spoken. Nevertheless, there is light at the end of the tunnel with several new and exciting athletes coming to the forefront and with our more “mature” athletes still competing at the highest level.
Despite being unable to eld our strongest athletes, this year’s event and the RAPTC
teams demonstrated that the Corps still has athletes who continue to commit time and effort to running and are willing to push their bodies to the limits. In the male race, SSgts Daz Farrugia and Gareth Young lead the way by nishing 11th and 12th respectively. They were backed up by performances from rst time runners Sgts Nick Curtis and Andy Briggs. A special mention has to go to Capt Willie Wilson and WO2 Bruce Bynorth because without their support and determination the RAPTC would have been unable to eld a senior male team.
It was left to our female athletes to once again y the RAPTC ag. Fresh from her win at the Army XC Championships, SSgt Shan Mans eld showed her eternal youth, and a surprising sprint nished, by crossing the line in 3rd overall and being crowned the female veteran champion. Coupled with excellent performances from newbie Sgt Abi Morrow, evergreen WO2 Kelley Haniver and ever-present SSgts Vicky Blackburn and Helen Heycock the team captured a well-deserved third place on the podium.
RAPTC ROAD AND CROSS COUNTRY
WO2 (QMSI) C Paton RAPTC
Senior Male Team
Female Team
Name
Position
Name
Position
SSgt Farrugia
11
SSgt Mans eld
3
SSgt Young
12
Sgt Morrow
12
Sgt Curtis
22
WO2 Haniver
18
SSgt Irving
49
SSgt Blackburn
20
WO2 Paton
76
SSgt Heycock
22
WO1 Foreshew
97
Sgt Briggs
98
Capt Wilson
154
WO2 Bynorth
160