PARAS’ 10 charity challenge in Colchester, 15 November 2015.

Public take on Paras’ fitness challenge.

Through thick mud and machine gun fire, some 900 runners took part in the PARAS’ 10 charity challenge in Colchester today (Sun 15 Nov).

A mix of civilians and soldiers took part in the 10-mile run, which could be completed as a cross-country race in trainers or as the P Company Challenge, wearing boots, trousers and carrying a 35lb rucksack – known as tabbing. With a target to finish within 1hr 50mins, the challenge replicates one of the key fitness tests for the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces.

After a silence in memory of those killed in Friday’s (13 Nov) terrorist attacks in Paris, the tabbers and runners were set on their way from Abbey Field by the firing of a 105mm Light Gun. The route took them through Merville Barracks and Friday Woods over the same hills and water obstacles crossed by soldiers on training runs. Around the course, troops firing machine guns and throwing smoke grenades added to the atmosphere.

First runner across the line was Simon Dunk, in 1 hour 7 minutes; Lance Corporal Tom Kaye, of 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, was the first tabber to finish; and 8 Field Company (Para), 7th Air Assault Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers won the team race.

The event, run for the fourth time in Colchester, attracts a mix of military and civilian participants, with people travelling from across Europe to take part.

Sarrah Harris finished just inside the 1 hour 50 minutes time limit for Airborne Forces to win the female veterans category.

The 42-year-old, from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex, said: “A months ago I was talking to a colleague at work who was doing PARAS’ 10, and next thing I knew I was signed up! It’s a really tough event because once you’ve gone through the first water crossing your legs are like lead and the pack just seems to get heavier. I was so relieved to cross the finish line."

“After doing this, I’ve gained even more respect for soldiers and the training they must have to do to keep their fitness up to this standard.”

Profits from entrance fees raised money for Support Our Paras, which supports Paras and their families who are in need, but runners were free to collect sponsorship for any charity.

The Paras’ 10 has been run at Catterick, where paratroopers train, since 2008 and runners have so far raised £1.5m for a wide range of charities.

Support Our Paras director Stephen Cooper said: “I hope that everyone has been able to enjoy the Colchester PARAS’ 10 and should be proud of themselves for taking part. This is an authentic military challenge that allows people to challenge themselves against the rigorous fitness standards expected by Airborne Forces."

“We’re getting more and more people entering every year and I lay down the challenge to people to join us in 2016, either in Colchester on Sunday 15 May or Catterick on Sunday 4 September.”