Four soldiers from Bulford have returned in triumph from a gruelling Marathon across the Moroccan desert.

The team raised thousands of pounds for the Rifleman’s Aid Society, after completing the Marathon des Sables, widely regarded as the world’s toughest foot race. 

Their efforts will also be featured on the ITV television programme ‘Adrenalin Junkie’ hosted by Jack Osbourne later in the year.

Corporal Jez Brookes and Lieutenant Tom Freedman

Led by Captain Angus Strong, fellow athletes Lieutenant Tom Freedman, Sergeant Major Chad Wright, and Corporal Jez Brookes completed the exhausting 220km self-sufficient foot race in 120-degree temperatures in the desert of Morocco.

“In late 2005 we began to put the all important kit together and drew up training plans,” said Lieutenant Freedman. His personal training regime included the 54-mile Thames Meander event in February while Captain Strong and Sergeant Major Wright ran the Snowdonia marathon.

“Before the main event we went to Ascension Island for a week of acclimatisation training then it was on to the Moroccan desert and to Tent 81 that was to become our home for the next week. Each tent slept seven or eight people and we were joined by Jack Osborne and two of his crew.”

Of the 731 starters, Captain Strong finished a creditable 74th; Wright was 134th, Brookes 270th and Freedman 310th.

“The sense of achievement ranked alongside walking up the old College steps,” concluded Lieutenant Freedman. “The months of training and kit preparation had paid off – it was certainly worth the effort.”