Page 144 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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For the sporting Gladiators of the RAPTC, most sports are keenly contested across the board with many going on to represent at all levels in their chosen disciplines. Athletics and
running fast is the base for all that pedigree. The RAPTC has a number of fine athletes and they were on show at two major events in 2017. The first of these was the Army Individual and Inter Corps Championships on the 24 May in Aldershot.
The Inter Corps Championships is the only real opportunity for the RAPTC to show its strength in Track and Field throughout the year and although the Men struggled to field a full team, the Ladies shone bright in their pursuit to try and lift the crown. Fielding only seven athletes, the Ladies pushed on to a number of memorable finishes and with WO1 (SMI) Kelley Haniver at the helm it was going to be nothing short of exceptional what they were to go on to achieve.
The Ladies went on to amass a first place in the 5000m, seven second places, four thirds and multiple results just outside of the medals. This took them to an overall finish of second place, which narrowly missed out on the Championship win. The Men’s team were gallant and SSgt (SSI) Gareth Young took silver in the 3000m SC and SSgt (SSI) Carl McMullen collected two bronzes in the 200m and Long Jump. They went on to finish in fifth place overall. Special mention must go to Sgt (SI) Dean Hammond, who having not competed on the track before came out to race in the 100m B race and ended up with a commendable fifth place across the Army. From the results of the Inter Corps Championships many of the RAPTC team were selected to go on to represent the Army at the Inter Service Championships in Portsmouth on the 12 Jul 17.
Three female athletes and four male were flying the RAPTC flag at the Inter Services and as expected they did not disappoint. Both
WO1 (SMI) Haniver leading the team to collect deserved Silver
male and female teams went on to retain the championship in style with no less than 8 medals being taken home by the Corps representatives. Yet again the 5000m was wrapped up by the new female Army Athlete of the Year WO1 (SMI) Kelley Haniver. The male Triple Jump title went to SSgt (SSI) Matt Rush who had travelled from Germany to compete. SSgt (SSI) Julia Bloomer once again showed her multi-event flexibility with a second, third and fourth place finish. SSgt (SSI) Kate Wallace took bronze in the Triple Jump, SSgt (SSI) Gareth Young bronze in the 3000m SC and SSgt (SSI) Carl McMullen with a bronze in the 400m Hurdles. Not to feel left out, the Male team manager Capt (MAA) Steve Chappell also claimed a bronze in the Pole Vault.
RAPTC ATHLETICS
SSgt (SSI) C McMullen RAPTC
SSgt (SSI) Julia Bloomer dipping to a clear victory SSgt (SSI) Zoe Leeming looking strong in the 800m RAPTC Ladies 4 x 400m Relay Inter-Corps
SSgt (SSI) Kate Wallace Triple Jumping to a Medal Capt (MAA) Steve Chappell taking SSgt (SSI) McMullen out of the 400m start Bronze in the Pole Vault