800 Marines in Exmouth speed march
Around 800 military personnel from Commando Training Centre Royal Marines celebrated the Corps’ 350th birthday this weekend with a speed march through the centre of Exmouth and Lympstone.
On Saturday (31 May) morning the Marines formed up into their training departments, known as Wings, tackled the grueling speed march through the town.
“The aim of the speed march is to raise money for the Royal Marines, Royal Marines raising money for Royal Marines.” said WO1 Phil Gilby, the Regimental Sergeant Major of CTCRM speaking ahead of the march.
“The plan is to put between 800 and one thousand personnel through the centre of Exmouth. This will be probably the most military people who have ever gone through Exmouth, including during the Second World War.”
“We want to incorporate the whole Corps family in the event. We have a cradle to grave approach so we want to include the Cadets, the serving personnel, their families, our veterans, and the local community.”
“That the Corps team can achieve this physical challenge over five months is phenomenal.”
The unit also was accompanied by six runners who have travelled around Europe as part of the 1664 Challenge raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Royal Marines charities.
The Corps team of six runners from the 1664 Challenge started their epic journey in north Norway on 5th February. They then skied to Stavanger in the south of the country which they reached on 2nd April.
Here they boarded a tri-service yacht and sailed south to Cadiz in Spain which they reached on April 27th. They then cycled from Gibraltar to the Normandy D-Day beaches which they reached on 17th May.
On 21 and 22 May the Corps team of six as well as helpers canoed across the English Channel where due to the currents they had to paddle over 110 miles.
On arrival in the UK they began the run phase. Starting at the Royal Marines Museum in Eastney on 26th May they have run around much of the UK taking in Plymouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow and finally London.
Today (June 1) the runners return to their original route which started at Bridport at 10am and reaches Lyme Regis at 1pm before heading on to Seaton at 4pm.
Tomorrow (June 2) the run will start from Sidmouth at 10:30am and arrive at CTCRM Lympstone at 1pm where they will enter the base led by the Royal Marines Corps of Drums.
“The run phase will be the most demanding phase on the body because it is repetitive, day after day, doing up to 30 miles on some days,” says WO1 Gilby who is an RM Physical Training Instructor.
“The Commando Training Centre works hard to foster our links with Exmouth, Exeter and Lympstone.
“We hope this event will bring our ties even closer with the local communities whose support to the 1664 Challenge is essential,” WO1 Gilby adds.
Pictures David Bunton- Exmouth
