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Mine staff help Navy’s premier charity in Bahrain road race

Bahrain half marathon
14 January 2025
Royal Navy mine warfare experts left the ops room and headquarters behind and pounded the streets for Bahrain’s half-marathon.

Eight members of Maritime Warfare Battle Staff (Red) – one of several teams who take it turns to oversee Royal Navy mine warfare operations in the Middle East – joined hundreds of local and international runners for the 21.1-kilometre (13.1-mile) road race.

January is about as cool as it gets in the Middle East kingdom – by day it’s a pleasant 20C rather than the high 30s and 40s you can expect in the summer – making it the best time of year for a long-distance run.

Some 676 men and women hit the streets of Bahrain, beginning and ending the run at the sprawling Seef Mall complex.

The battle staff are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the three Royal Navy minehunters based in Bahrain, plus an autonomous unit (X-Ray Squadron 1) and the shore-based engineers of Fleet Support Unit 2.

They found time during the autumn and winter to train for the run, assisted by their American comrades at the Naval Support Facility Bahrain and the regular five-kilometre run they hosted.

As well as taking on the physical challenge, the team set out to raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity – and succeeded with more than £2,200 collected.

"I feel incredibly proud to have completed the half marathon alongside my teammates, and raising such a significant amount of money for charity makes this achievement even more special,” said Petty Officer (AWT) Rebecca Johnstone, who crossed the line in 377th place.

The Red battle staff’s Commanding Officer Commander Rob Couzens added: "I am extremely proud of the team as this has taken months of planning and training whilst also conducting their very busy operational roles in theatre and their perseverance and high spirit throughout has been very impressive.

“Running a half marathon is no small feat – a huge achievement for anyone, and to do it for such a worthy cause benefiting so many people in and outside the Service makes it even more special. The team smashed it.”

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