Page 21 - LBV 2023

Queens Challenge Cup 2023
In May 2023 it was the turn of Cambridge UOTC to execute the largest Army Reserve Sporting event in the Calendar, the Queens Challenge Cup (QQC) run at RMAS while the regular OCdts are on Easter Leave. With a deserved reputation of prominence, that surrounds the event, planning began in May 2022; with the event immediately shaping our own forecast of events. Planning and executing notably a considerable challenge for such a small OTC, ensuring that we incrementally set out planning conferences along with a course of recces of the sites to ensure we were maximising effort accordingly and aligning resources effectively.
Our starting point for the planning was the PXR from Oxford who ran QCC 2022, again a small OTC with not much horsepower, and so we looked into the detail of how this event was resourced financially and what work force and other key resources were required. We had three key challenges during the planning phase, these were broken down into Accommodation, funding and key personnel (IE Officials).
Noting QCC takes place in RMAS
we all agreed that it was imperative
to be accommodated in RMAS. Over
the past few years this has not been achievable due to contractual issues and potentially poor dialogue between the planners and key stakeholders at RMAS, this meant early engagement with the SQM (An LE Lt Col) who could fight
our corner with the onsite contractors
to procuring accommodation for 500 OCdts over the weekend of QCC. This was a considerable challenge which we managed to finally agree after much debating and meetings.
The event requires substantial financial support and funding was gratefully received through the Sports AGAI and specific funding streams. These included Army Sports Lottery, Team Army,
RMAS Commandant Fund, Regional Forces and Cadets Army. Cambridge UOTC were successful in a number of funding streams to procure money for the majority of activity. This left us with resourcing the funding for feeding, as is not captured under crown feeding. Luckily we were able to overcome this through the use of each OTC’s OCOPF fund.
Workforce requirements for this event was our biggest challenge, and definitely to date during my time in the unit. This meant we had to operationalise our whole organisation, including OCdts to help as team captains. Our Army Reserves staff were warned off almost a year in advance, as we knew they would be imperative and the backbone to making this whole plan work. We were very lucky to have almost every member of Cambridge UOTC staff attend the event, and without their commitment the event wouldn’t have happened. They not only helped
to gain the traction required to populate the teams for QCC, but also provided the sports sponsors on the day for each sport, and providing the assurance required
around scoring each sport. The QCC went very well, as
successfully aligned our workforce and managed to get all OCdts into RMAS (Including all staff). We had funding to ensure we provided feeding over the weekend and managed to provide some prizes for each winning team from each sport (Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Orienteering, Tug-of- war & College Dash). The event was won by Exeter UOTC, but overall each and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience – taking part and showing and demonstrating the Corp principles of sport.
The event ended with a curry supper on the Saturday night and a unique opportunity for OTC OCdts to experience what it’s actually like to stay in old College at RMAS – Hopefully inspiring them to take the next step after their time at an OTC.
Maj Neil Reeder
The SkyRace
I’ll set the scene: it’s 4:30am and my alarm is going off; as I look outside to see torrential rain and high winds, I wonder why I ever let Colour T (an actual, professional runner) convince me (a complete novice) to enter the St Sunday Mountain Race with him. After a coffee and McDonald’s fuelled (arguably the best running fuel) 3hr drive to the Lake District, I’m still wondering the same thing. Somehow, the rain had managed to get heavier, and the wind stronger the closer to Scafell Pike I got. Before the race had event started I’d managed to become absolutely soaked just from my walk from the car to the registration/kit check tent. If it hadn’t become obvious so far, I had serious doubts about this race.
Despite such initial doubts, and the severe regret of the earlier sausage and egg McMuffin around kilometre 3, the race was extremely enjoyable once
the running got started. And as they say, if it ain’t raining, you ain’t training! Unfortunately, the original route which saw us running over the top of Scafell Pike and the adjoining peaks had to abandoned because of the bad weather. However, the race co-ordinators still managed to produce a good, technical route- being 17.5miles in total, with
just under 5,000ft of elevation. The
route started from Glenridding, and circled around the peak of Helvellyn,
with a nice stretch alongside Thirlmere reservoir. It included two steep ascents, one particularly technical (and muddy) descent, and enough river crossings to do me for the rest of the year. All in all, I ended up finishing in just over 4 hours- not a bad time in relation to the rest of the competitors, but nothing in comparison to Colour T’s 3hrs 30mis which allowed him to claim 8th place overall.
I’d really encourage anyone interested in running to have a crack at an organised trail race- they’re very fun, have some great planned routes, and the running community is very welcoming. The St Sunday race has only encouraged me to enter more, and longer, races. As a final note, I would like to thank Colour T and CUOTC for organising and funding my entry into the race.
JUO C Allen
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 21