Blood, sweat and blisters as RAF take on Hadrian’s Wall

Personnel from RAF Leeming endured heat, cold, blisters and aching backs to race the length of Hadrians Wall in just four days. Picture: RAF Leeming

Teams of six RAF personnel laden with backpacks ran, jogged or walked up to 24 miles each day to take part in Exercise Centurion Shadow to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The event has become an annual competition for members of 90 Signals Unit, which is based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. A team from 34 Squadron RAF Regiment also joined the race, which is aimed at boosting fitness as well as team building skills.

During training and en route, the team from the North Yorkshire air base also raised about £20,000 which will be divided between Butterwick House Children’s Hospice at Bishop Auckland, and The Royal Air Force Association.

The commanding officer of 90 Signals Unit, Group Captain David Rowland, said: “It’s been really good. The guys have worked really well as a team and displayed a range of skills to make this happen. The teams are pulling together to get each other through, and members of the public have been very supportive.”