Page 152 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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SSgt Mansfield SSgt Williams Sgt Edwards SSgt Wallace Sgt Spence
an athlete is tripped up or pushed over, there is no referee to a blow whistle to stop the race. Every athlete battles it out in a gladiatorial style to the finishing line, as each individual’s performance ultimately decides whether the team stands on the podium or not.
To succeed in cross country racing you need a handful of vital quantities; determination, motivation, physical awareness and a strong heart. However, with phrases like “junk mileage” and “less aerobic development is required” circulating around the physical development domain, if running 5 miles plus everyday doesn’t sit well with you, you’d better try a less-taxing sport. Sports like football, hockey and rugby are played on flat, well groomed surfaces. However, during cross country races it is normal to
Capt Wilson
encounter varied terrains, hills, roads, mud puddles, grassy fields, rocky paths, and sometimes even shallow streams. A true cross country race stays away from pavement and roads.
Due to injuries, work commitments and our more “mature” athletes losing a yard or two in pace, the Corps XC teams lost the services of some of our top athletes this year; which may have given the other Corps a sign of hope. However, the RAPTC XC teams have an abundance of talented and exceptional male and female athletes who were on hand to take up the mantle and don the coveted Black and Red vest.
This year’s championships saw the introduction of a female masters race which meant the Corps enter 4 categories; senior and masters male and female races. A total of 26 athletes assembled on the start line with 9 athletes making their debuts. In the male competition, Capt Bareham, SSgt Dove and Sgts
RAPTC Senior Male and Inter Corps Champions
WO2 Hughes
Sgt Syrett
WO1 Haniver Sgt Curtis and SSgt Dove SSgt Morrow and SSgt Blackburn