A team of 8 Royal Marines have smashed the longstanding 19-year old world record for the 26.2 mile marathon Speed March carrying 40lbs of kit.
The Royal Marines World Record Speed March took place in London during the early hours of 21 October 2017.
The previous record was set some 19 years ago by 29 Commando Royal Artillery (Army) in 1998 who completed the marathon speed march distance in a time of 4 hours and 19 mins 7 secs.
The Royal Marines and many others had made previous attempts on this extremely difficult and arduous but fallen short.
The Royal Marines are not renowned for giving up, and trained incredibly hard to secure the new World Record in an incredible 4 hours, 16 minutes and 43 seconds; smashing the previous mark by 2 min 24 seconds.
The challenge was the culmination of an incredible journey for all that have been involved in this venture for up to 5 years in some cases.
Major ‘Scotty’ Mills RM, the lead planner and Officer for the WR said, “The feeling of crossing this line as World Record holders is a special moment. I am so proud of this team and I thank them all for making an old marine very happy.
“I’ve had the privilege to lead Royal Marines on theatre entry operations around the globe, and I’ve been chosen to represent our Armed Forces at our home Olympic Games yet this is right up there as my proudest moment.
“It is the collective power of what is truly possible that lends me to conclude that this is the greatest team that I have ever led”.
To do this, the Corps has required its very fittest men, both serving and veteran, to rise to the challenge and perform to the highest standard whilst under immense pressure to succeed.
The team conducted training runs at Lympstone Commando, Yeovil, Richmond Park and Manchester at unsociable hours in all conditions. The team trained on holidays and honeymoons, sacrificed dinners and indulgence, effectively preparing and training like Olympic athletes.
Sergeant Mags Maguire, aged 30 and currently serving with Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton, said, “On the final mile, the tunnel vision was disorientating, a numbness took over my legs; I couldn’t feel them.
“I just about remember the finish line. The bonds formed during adversity are unrivalled in any other social dynamic. This was an unbelievable experience; one that I will never forget.”
The preparation, mental fortitude, resilience required to break this record was a true example of Commando spirit.
The route for the speed march commenced outside 10 Downing Street and finished at the Western end Pall Mall at the junction with St James’ Square having taken in all of London’s key land marks.
Images courtesy of Anthony Upton © Copyright 2017
