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16 December 2006

Putting Them Through Their Paces

On the Sunday 12th December 2006, the regional cross-country championships were held at RAF Cranwell. From 134 Bedford Squadron went two cadets, ready to give their all to the races that they would compete in.

With an early start at 08:15, the Cadet Sergeant James Tye and Cadet Corporal Sean Denham were ready and waiting for the bus that would take them onto the days events. Arriving at RAF Cranwell at 10:00 both cadets disembarked, and so Bedford squadron arrived.

With Corporal Denham representing the Beds and Cambs Wing in the Youths race and Sgt Tye doing the same for the Junior Mens category, both were ready for the races, with only one idea in mind. "To Succeed".

With Corporal Denham running first, and Sgt Tye in the last race of the day, both received a clear and complete course brief, given by the PTI’s from Cranwell, the races were under way. Cold conditions, huge puddles and loads of mud ere not enough to dampen the spirits of the runners and, from the start both cadets gave their all and it all paid off in the end.

Sgt Tye finished in 14th place against 24 runners, thereby earning his second wing blue and Corporal Denham finished his race in 6th place, earning his 9th wing blue and also a place on the central and eastern region youths cross country team. 

With wing blues handed out, by the Wing Commander, the entire Beds and Cambs team set off home. Overall the Beds and Cambs team came 4th out of six and the youths all received a bronze medal for coming 3rd in their category. Corporal Denham came first out of the youths from Beds and Cambs Wing and Sgt Tye finished 3rd out of the team of 4. 

Thanks are due to the helpers on the day, the cadets who marshalled, the timekeepers and the RAF Cranwell PTI’s, who without them the day would not have worked. CWO Otulakowski, commented, “Both cadets showed great determination and guile out there and we look forward to Cpl Denham’s race on January 20th. Well done to them both for a fantastic effort.”

Cpl Sean Denham.