Para's 10 review

Greetings Sports Fans,

Its Sports report time with Up&Running Darlington and Mic Doughty reporting on the epic 4th running of the Army Paratroopers *Paras 10 Challange* on Sunday 11th September 2011.

For those not familier with this event the Army Paratroop Training Regiment at Catterick host 2 races on the day over the 10 mile P Company Selection Course; the first race is a traditional 10 mile multi-terrain foot-race, with athletes wearing normal running shoes, shorts and singlets/vests, this is closely followed by athletes who want to take on the P Company selection standard, but the athletes must run the course with a bergan or rucksack weighing 35Lbs and wearing military standard boots , no running shoes are allowed, a uncompromising qualifying time target of 1 hour and 50 mins is the aim for these hardy individuals.

This year saw 525 runners attending the *normal* race, and a superb turnout of some 1045 competitors for the P Company Challange.

A sobering two minute silence to commemorate those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and also those service lifes lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, this was observered perfectly by the 1600 entrants and the assembled family and friends of the competitors.

A lone artillery piece set the runners off at exactly 11:00 am to takeon the multi-terrian 10 mile race, with winds gusting above 50 mph this was to be a wet, windy and very muddy affair.

The course record for the "normal" runners of 52:22 mins set back in 2009 by Thomas Cornthwaite and with weather conditions best decribed as bracing, it was always going to be tough to break - although running as a guest {and so not counting in the official results} Andy Wiles from the Darlington Up&Running Shop came home 1st in a excellant 53.50, with the actual winner William Strangeway making the trip north from Lincoln very worth while and recording a respectable 56.31.

1st lady home was a composed Chloe Ryall , coming 14th over-all and recording an excellant 1:09.29.

The junior men were lead home by Alexander Sinclair of Ilkley Harriers in a superb time of 1:03:27 and placing 4th over-all.

P Company Results.

With 1045 runners taking on the P Company Challange this proved to be a sight to behold as the gun went again at 11:15 to signal the start of the challange.

1st past the post in an incredible time 1:17.06 - was Chris Daniels from the Thames Hare and Hounds.
1st under 18 was James Channer with a superb effort and recording 1:27.13
1st Lady home was Lynda Young, unattached and stopping the clock at 1:39:17.
1st Team home was lead in by Martin Cork of the Parachute Regiment Training Corp in a 1:20:57.

I would like to thank Major Ben Harrop and his staff for inviting Up&Running to co-sponser the event with UK-Gear and congratulate the team on a brilliantly organised event, we would also like to congratulate Ben on his promotion and wish him every success with his new role and posting.

If your looking for a challange , or your a wanna-be Paratrooper then this event is the one to enter, brilliant atmosphere, super organisation and lots of mud, hills, smiles and support, Paras 10 - P Company Challange 2012 book it in your diary now.

Thanks Mic