4 December 2007

Extensive planning and training will hopefully mean success for four Linton soldiers who are in Nepal competing in the Everest Marathon 2007.

Lance Corporal Andrew McRae, a 2nd Health Support Battalion physical training instructor and Sappers Sam Baker, Jason Boulton and Shane Chadwick, of 25 Engineer Support Squadron, are among only 75 athletes in the world’s highest marathon, run since 1998.

After acclimatisation training they are to begin the gruelling 42km run tomorrow, December 5. The run begins at Base Camp Everest, Gorak Shep, where temperatures range from minus-20 deg C to 25 deg at noon, at 5300m – twice the altitude of Mt Ruapehu. At one point (Kala Pattar) it reaches 5623m before descending to the 3446m finish line at Namche Bazaar.

With the field being drawn worldwide, the event will be covered by CN, ABC and the BBC.

Selection of the Linton quartet was their reward for two years’ intensive competition in some of New Zealand’s toughest mountain races, including the Kaweka 40km, Tararuas 37km, Keplar 60km and Cape Brett 37km, to name a few. With Army support they have achieved top 10 places in most of their races, with a few first, second and fourth placings. That has been interspersed with solid camp PT and gym work.

“The racing experience we have gained is incredible value,” they say.

“However, we found that aside from having a high fitness level it is crucial to have a strong, positive mindset. This helps push through cramp, blisters, fatigue, cuts requiring stitches and getting lost. We hope to put this experience to good use in the Mt Everest Marathon.”

But the physical and mental preparation was only part of the story. As marathons do not come under the umbrella of Army “approved sports”, the four have had to mount their own fundraising campaign to cover the all-up cost of some $40,000 between them.

Sponsorship from the Singapore Fund, Sappers’ Association, Linton Sports and the Multi Sport Club covered the cost of the flights and entry fees. The four have also been sponsored drinks from GO FAST, while the Burnham Army Adventure Training Centre has loaned them sleeping bags for the trip.

The Linton Multisport Club’s main contribution came from providing food and general catering during a trail bike ride run at Waiouru in March in conjunction with the International 6-day Enduro at Taupo.

Preparation highlights – and low-lights - before the runners arrived in Nepal:

Jason Boulton after the two days running over the Tararuas suffered a serious ITB strain and had to undergo intense massage to aid recovery.

Tour De Manawatu 116 km
Hunterville classic - 92km
Feilding Marathon - Samual Baker finished 3rd
Linton Camp Triathlon - Team Shane Chadwick, Samuel Baker and Andrew McRae 1st overall

Baker /Chadwick have been unable to run for the last two months due to lower leg strains. Intensive low impact alternate training both swimming and cycling and Triggerpoint Massage has seen both now running and clocking up large KM’s.

Weekly mountain running , Tararuas, Ruahines

Image Gallery - Issue 383