British Forces Athletes Battle It Out For Relay Glory In Germany

Seven teams from across British Forces Germany have been battling it out to be crowned relay champions.

With the sun shining in Paderborn there was another great turnout for the second round of the British Army Germany cross country season.

This time, runners were competing near Barker Barracks for the Inter-Unit Relay Championships.

The glorious day, after what had been a wet few weeks, made terrain challenging for the athletes. 

Private Alex Goodman (below), of the 1st Batallion, the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1PWRR), said:

"We've got a really steep hill that we went down and that's just horrendously slippy and really steep, so it can be dangerous. But it's all part of the fun, isn't it!"

At last week's first race, Alex came in second place to her team-mate Claudia, so despite 1PWRR (also known as the Tigers) being the only unit to enter a full-female team, they were still feeling ambitious. She added:

"Claudia is actually going for her PTI [Personal Training Instructor] course at the moment so she's definitely someone to aspire to be.

"[I] just try and keep up with her, basically... It's good to have to a bit of competitiveness [though]... someone to try and beat."

The season is made up of six races, with this one being held at what is known as the 'gold run' area.

It's normally used for vehicle training, which may go some way to explain the undulating terrain.

With the drawdown of forces from Germany there are less barracks available to utilise, but no less competition. 

Staff Sergeant Mick Asher, a PTI with 1st Armoured Medical Regiment, said: "There's still a competitive element to BA(G) sport, especially in the cross country season.

"You see all the different units from Germany come and participate. When I was here six years ago there were 44 teams entering this league, now obviously with the drawdown, it's less."

Despite there still being six teams from three units competing in the race, it was the side representing 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade HQ that walked away with the title for a second race in a row. 

The unit's Staff Sergeant Ross Anders said:

"For us, even to just scramble a team together to take part in these events is a thing, because we're a busy unit." 

"But they've won two weeks on the bounce, [which] is absolutely fantastic - good news for the guys."

The next league race in the cross country calendar takes place in Herford.

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