600 squaddies take on Yorkshire's toughest challenge

A soldier makes his way past the White Horse at Kilburn

Soldiers from across the UK competed in the 12-hour challenge, which began at first light at Imphal Barracks, York, on Thursday.

The 15-leg Race The Sun competition took place over a 210km course passing through Kilburn, Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest, the North York Moors and Castle Howard.

Beginning at 5am with a kayak race up the River Ouse, troops and officers ran along the banks of the river, cycled along the A19 to Kilburn, completed a gruelling hill run to Sutton Bank and swam 900 metres across the lake at Castle Howard.

Other activities included mountain biking, a half marathon and a weighted stretcher race, which ended in a well-deserved barbecue back at Imphal Barracks.

Competition director Major James Stillie, commanding officer of 2 Signal Regiment, said: “This year the event was as competitive as ever, it was very tightly contested with everyone really entering into the spirit of things.”