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The team continues to grow, breaking the Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) World Record, winning Inter-Corps titles and conducting an OSV to Cyprus. In my final year as president, I want to thank the committee for their relentless hard work and the runners for continuing to compete at the highest level.
RAPTC Cyprus Challenge 2022 –
SSgt (SSI) K Bowling RAPTC
In November 2022, eight members of the RAPTC running team deployed on an OSV to compete in the annual Cyprus Challenge. This was an excellent opportunity for the team to get some quality training in before the busy road and cross country seasons began. It also provided an excellent opportunity for the team’s newer members to compete with more experienced individuals. Over the course of four days, the event successfully combined a 6km time trial; an 11km mountain trail run; a multi-terrain half marathon; and a 10km road run. The RAPTC finished first and second in the team competition, second and third in the individual competition and secured a full podium finish in the master’s category.
Army Inter-Corps Cross
Country Championships –
WO2 (QMSI) R Davies RAPTC
For a small Corps, we pack a big punch when it comes to running fitness and rightly so! The athletics season proved to be immensely successful from a team and an individual perspective, where many of our runners produced performances worthy of their Army and National level standard. We knew we had a great team;
Capt (MAA) J Foreshew RAPTC
RAPTC CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
we just needed our team captain SSgt Kim Bowling to corral us. With our RAPTCIs being spread far and wide, this is often the most challenging task.
The Inter-Corps Cross Country Relays took place in December 22, again at Twesledown Racecourse. It is a firm favourite amongst the running community due to its historical attachment to Army Cross Country. Whilst the relay route is relatively short (5km), competitors get to experience a variety of terrain as they try and negotiate their way around its technical route. Mud; grass; sand; water; more mud; rocks; long grass and even longer grass – perfect for horse racing but not so easy for human racing! Following some commendable performances, both our Senior and Masters team proved victorious, securing the Inter-Corps Cross Country title.
To close off the season, we headed to Minley for the Inter-Corps Championships and the largest event on the Cross Country calendar. With several of our team unavailable through injury or running with ‘niggles’ they had picked up throughout the season, the odds were stacked against us. Nonetheless, fourteen black and red vests stood on the start line ready to proudly represent their beloved Corps. Five miles later (or six miles for some) the Men’s Masters team secured a commendable second place. Age is but a number!
Finally, on behalf of the team, I would like to thank Capt (MAA) Joe Foreshew for his unrivalled commitment to the RAPTC Cross Country team over many years. He retires on a high with an Inter- Corps Masters silver medal and the Army Athletics President’s Award – what a way to finish!
Army Inter-Corps Cross Country Championships Team
Amy Inter-Corps Cross Country Championships – Masters Team Runners Up