Cross Country: 2019/20 Review

Cross Country

2019/20 Review From the highest peak in England through to logging runs on Strava, 2019-2020 has been an unusual year for Cross Country REME. Maj Mike Lovell shares the highlights of this year’s competitions, both on-location and virtual.

President: Brig A Stuart MBE (Late REME). Chairman: Col P J McArthur (Late REME). Secretary and Scribe: Maj Mike Lovell REME

Exercise Craftsman Runner 5

What is Ex Craftsman Runner?

The Annual REME Corps Cross Country Short Distance Running Championships (Ex Craftsman Runner), took place between 8 and 14 September, in the heart of the Lake District. The exercise starts from Keswick, which incorporates a BUILD and DEVELOP week, prior to the race at Wasdale, taking on Scafell Pike! The Championship meeting is for the benefit of all cross country and running athletes, Regular and Reserve, from novice through to experienced Corps representative level.

What are the aims?

To contest the Corps Short Course Running Championship and confirm current and identify potential runners for the Corps representative male and female teams. It provides concentrated training prior to Divisional, Army and Inter-Corps level competitions, and an annual focus to promote team cohesion. Ex Craftsman Runner also maintains the professional status of the sport and further promotes cross country running within the Corps.

2019 report

On 8 September, forty Corps personnel ranging from Army representatives to complete novices descended on Keswick for the ‘Sport for All’ Training and Development camp. Now into its fifth year and fully established, it has become an integral event on the calendar and signals the commencement of the cross-country season. The exercise was delivered in a relaxed, but totally focused environment that was yet again a huge success. The ‘DS’ this year included Maj Mike Lovell, Capt Chris Eastman, WO2 Tony Jarvis, SSgt Okie Oke and finally SSgt Ben Leach RAPTCI (ex-REME), as the subject matter expert, giving all lessons real credibility.

The week was broken down into two phases. Phase one - Monday to Friday in Keswick: the exercise resides at Denton House, a hostel that has become our ‘home of The Lakes’. We conduct a 5km TT to set ability groups, which ensures each entrant receives the level of training appropriate to their current fitness and ability, a couple of

Theory lessons during Ex Craftsman Runner

challenging running sessions to test the anaerobic capacity and longer runs for recovery and aerobic gains. Additionally, there is a series of strength and conditioning lessons (theory and practical), stretching techniques, nutritional advice and a raft of theoretical lessons to arm any standard of runner for future success in the sport.

Deploying with two fantastic military chefs (thank you 47 Regt RA and 29 (EOD) Regt), the menu delivered throughout the week is tailored to meet the demands of the exercise programme – so I guess a few missed their daily fry-ups and chips! This year the attendance was a mix of a few seasoned Corps athletes, but more importantly a large crop of fresh faces to the sport.

Phase Two commenced with the departure from Keswick, including an overnight stay at the Drigg & Carleton village hall in readiness for the Championship race at Scafell Pike the following day. It was also at this point of the week that the President (Brig A Stuart) and Chairman (Col P McArthur) REME Cross Country joined us, and in good time, as WO2 Tony Jarvis appointed himself Head Chef and ensured all sufficiently ‘carb loaded’ on pizza and cake!

Ex Craftsman Runner - Keswick training

Early contenders ascending Scafell Pike

4 Bn runner finishing strongly at Scafell Pike

Race day and the quest to obtain the famous ‘Slate’ Trophy for 12 months

Scafell Pike, 2.5 miles up, ascending c.3000ft, and 2.5 back down. The most challenging route with gradients exceeding 30% in parts and that is without worrying about the weather conditions! Thirty Corps personnel lined up on the start line at Wasdale Campsite, proudly in their ‘Cfn Runner’ t-shirts, along with a host of accomplished fell runners from the civilian circuit. The enormity of the task ahead loomed. The initial climb takes the runners up Longmell Nose, the hardest part of the route due to the relentless gradient that stretches the field within the first mile. An easier climb prior to the final technical ascent to the summit turnaround point allows those chasing to eyeball the descenders and assess gaps to close.

At the halfway point, SSgt Fidmuruc, the pre-race favourite, did not disappoint, holding his own within the top 25 overall and powering down to take the Corps title closely followed by Capt Hunt Cfn Jepson Female Champion with President REME XC and Col Smith.

Following on from an impressive week in Keswick, Cfn Jepson fought hard and, although she had limited Corps female competition, she produced a fantastic performance to secure the victory and was crowned overall WU23 Champion.

All bar one Corps personnel completed the race, a huge achievement and the REME team was rewarded with several overall category prizes – 2nd Male team (SSgt Fidmuruc, Capt Hunt, Col Smith, Maj Lovell) and Male 45 Champion (WO2 Jarvis) - capping a great day. Our President, Brig Stuart, presented the ‘slates’ to our newly crowned Champions, capping off another successful week in The Lakes. Special thanks to Mr Richard Eastman, Race Director, for accommodating us in the race yet again and Mr Keith Murray, Custodian of the Village Hall. I hope we can return in 2021! SSgt Fidmuruc Male Champion with President REME XC

Corps Championship 2019

The event took place for the fifth year in Tidworth Garrison and was contested over the Bulford Training Area on Wednesday 6 November 2019, a course that really does feel like ‘our Corps course’ following decades at Bordon. Attendance was 240 runners across all categories. However, 4 Armd CS Bn REME contested a unit event as a ‘bolt on’ to the event that unofficially bolstered the entry figure to 320, maintaining an impressive field that is the envy across the Army. The standard at the front of the male race boasted a handful of Army athletes. Overall, there was a significant step up in talent, which was reflected at the Inter-Corps Championships. Lt Brooks took full advantage of Capt Hall’s absence by storming, to what is hopefully the first of many future Corps titles. We had the privilege of hosting our President, Brig Stuart, Mrs Vanessa Colyer, from our event sponsor Aspire Defence, and Mr Jim Bennett, our Corps kit sponsor from MooD Defence.

I take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support to REME Cross Country and CO 4 Armd CS Bn REME and his team for the real-life support yet again - the event simply could not go ahead without them.

The results were:

Male Champion: Maj Knudsen Army HQ (JHC) Female Champion: Lt Brooks 4 Armd CS Bn REME Male Masters Champion: Lt Col Yarker 3 Armd CS Bn REME Female Masters Champion: Maj McKendrick 4 Armd CS Bn REME Male 45+ Masters Champion: WO2 Jarvis 4 Armd CS Bn REME U23 Male Champion: Cfn Chamberlain 13 AA Sp Regt, 8 PARA Fd Coy U23 Female Champion: Cfn Scott 5 RIFLES LAD Reserve Male Champion: WO2 Tomlinson 102 Bn REME Major Unit Champions: 13 AA Sp Regt, 8 PARA Fd Coy Minor Unit Champions: 24 Cdo RE Wksp Male Masters Champions: 4 Armd CS Bn REME Female Team Champions: 4 Armd CS Bn REME U23 Team Champions: 8 Trg Bn REME Reserve Team Champions: 102 Bn REME

Maj McKendrick Female Masters Champion with Mrs Vanessa Colyer, Aspire Defence

Cfn Scott U23 Female Champion with Mrs Vanessa Colyer, Aspire Defence Lt Col Yarker Masters Champ with Mr Jim Bennett, MooD Defence Maj Knudsen Male Champion with Mrs Vanessa Colyer, Aspire Defence

President REME XC address to Corps Champs

Inter-Corps Cross Country Championship

This is the main event on the calendar at Corps level and organised The following REME athletes represented the Army at the InterServices Championships on 12 February: Female: Capt Hall (Inter-Services and Army Champion) Senior: Maj Knudsen (1st Army (Army Champion) / 2rd overall), Cpl Titcomb (4th Army / 8th overall), LCpl Williamson (5th Army / 9th overall) U23 Male: Cfn Stott (2nd Army / 7th overall)

REME Virtual Road Racing Series

In response to the pandemic, the concept of contesting a virtual race series through the fitness platform ‘Strava’ to maintain a competitive edge, maintain motivation and attract Corps runners as a ‘sport for all’ incentive. The overall series’ results are below (based on three 5km TTs and an 8km TT): Champions: 102 Bn REME 2nd Place: 4 Armd CS Bn REME 3rd Place: 659 Sqn AAC LAD Overall Male Champion: WO2 (CSM) Wainwright (3 Armd CS Bn REME) this year by the AGC and contested at Colchester Garrison on 26 February this year. The Senior Male team inflicted a complete domination of the Men’s race and were crowned Champions for the third successive year placing 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, with all 10 runners in the top 28.

For the first time REME contested in Female events in all categories, a significant improvement. The team results were: Champions: Senior Male Team (third successive

year)

3rd: Male U23 Team 3rd: Female Male Team 3rd: Female U23 Team 3rd: Male Masters Team 5th: Female Masters Team

The Female teams at Inter-Corps level have developed and grown considerably under the guidance of Maj Charlotte Hayes. Historically, REME have struggled to field one team in this event but, following a resurgence of interest, three teams took part in each age category.

I take this opportunity to thank Maj Hayes for her drive in growing the sport, but also the current female cohort for their motivation to get on that start line and be so competitive – may it continue and I success.

Join REME running on Strava

Download the Strava app and request to join “REME Running”. It is that easy!

Inter-Services Cross Country Championships

look forward to the Female category growing and securing future Overall Female Champion: LCpl Ward Sell (8 Trg Bn REME)

A huge thanks goes to Capt Paddy Paton for the concept and delivery of this race series; he has attracted 500 Corps personnel to the sport via the Strava app – thanks Paddy!

24 Cdo RE Wksp - Minor Unit Champs

Looking forward…

Corps Cross Country Championships

TBC (pending ASCB guidance) at Tidworth Garrison.

Corps Half Marathon Championships

21 March 2021 - Fleet Half Marathon, incorporating the Inter-Services and Army Championships.

Corps Road Relay Championships

TBC pending confirmation of Corps Festival of Sport

Ex CRAFTSMAN RUNNER 6

5 - 11 September 2021 - Keswick, Lake District. Corps Training Camp aimed at all levels from beginner to the seasoned Corps athlete for 40 REME personnel.

If you are interested in running (in any capacity) and want to get involved or have any queries regarding the sport contact the team: Secretary - Maj Mike Lovell Michael.lovell534@mod.gov.uk Male Captain – Capt Chris Eastman Christopher.Eastman759@mod.gov.uk Female Captain – Maj Charlotte Hayes Charlotte.Hayes774@mod.gov.uk Masters Captain – WO2 Tony Jarvis Antony.Jarvis569@mod.gov.uk U23 Male Captain – SSgt James Oke James.Oke111@mod.gov.uk