AN astounding multi-sport trans-European expedition has come to a spectacular end for six Royal Marines who have skied, sailed, cycled, kayaked and run 4,136-miles in under six months.
The Royal Marines 1664 Challenge marks the 350th anniversary of the Corps in 1664 and has so far raised almost £350,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.
The Corps Six, including former Exeter School student, Officer Commanding, Captain Sam Moreton from Exmouth, have demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience, personifying the Commando spirit and Corps ethos.
Ahead of the expedition finale in London today, yesterday evening Prince Harry pledged his support in person to the Commandos, Capt Moreton, 26, Second in Command Colour Sergeant Richie Hayden, 33, Corporal Tom Rounding, 35, Lance Corporal Matt Robb, 27, Marine Tom Barker, 19, and Cpl Anthony Fairclough.
From the beginning, the Echo has been documenting the feat which culminated with a Midnight 30 miler event which saw marines, officers and attached commandos run alongside international comrades from the US Marine Corps, the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and Australia.
The squadded speed march involved Royal Marines personnel averaging 15 minute miles in combat boots from the Cutty Sark Gardens to the start of the RM350 City of London Freedom March which took place today, Friday, July 25.
The end of the 30-miler linked-in with a separate contingent of over 700 Royal Marines who proceeded to exercise their privilege to march through the City of London, with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed, for only the fourth time in their 350 year history, between the Honourable Artillery Company (the birthplace of the Royal Marines) and the Guildhall.
Once at the Guildhall, the baton that has accompanied the 1664 Challenge throughout was handed to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Fiona Wolfe CBE, for safekeeping, ahead of a hand over to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh at a commemorative dinner later in the year.
The 1664 Challenge, saw the Corps Six ski 1664km across Norway, sail 1664km from Norway to Cadiz in Spain, cycle 1664km from Cadiz to Calais, kayak across the English Channel and run 1664km through England, Wales and Scotland. The team was joined by over 4,200 other Royal Marines and Army Commandos along the way.
On Saturday, May 31, almost 1,000 Royal Marines from the Commando Training Centre joined the Corps Six in a speed march from the seafront to the camp via the Strand, constituting 5.2-miles to the overall distance.
Speaking from London after the hand-over of the baton, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green, 1664 Challenge organiser, said: "The Royal Marines achieve the extraordinary every day while on operation throughout the world.
"But what this challenge has done is take six from each of the main commando units in the country, give them the basic skills they need in different environments and send them on their way – and that has been remarkable.
"Even by Royal Marines standards these guys have shone through.
"Many months ago, I sat down with them and explained what they were going to be doing – told them it was going to be tough and at times, tougher.
"And I've watched them over six months grow as Royal Marines and also as individuals and I'm immensely proud of all six of them."
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/RoyalMarines1664Challenge
