Cadets on Deathmarch (From Penarth Times)

Cadets on Deathmarch

THE CADETS of 1148 (Penarth) Squadron Air Training Corps have been congratulating three of their staff members after they completed the gruelling Bornem Deathmarch.

Ben Welch, Matthew Brushett and Chris Moseley are all ex-cadets from the squadron.

They now help run the squadron as members of the adult staff.

The three travelled to Bornem in Belgium recently to take part in the 36th Dodentocht or March of Death.

This 100km walk has to be completed in 24 hours, with participants walking through the night to finish it.

Joined by 8,500 other walkers, the team from Penarth started walking at 9pm. Soon they were walking in complete darkness as the route snaked from village to village.

Many local residents stayed up into the early hours of the morning holding street parties to welcome the marchers as they passed through their towns.

By the time dawn came, the team had completed their first 50km, taking just over eight hours to walk this first half.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast of chicken and pasta, with feet and legs beginning to ache, they continued on their way, making steady progress all day.

As they returned to the town of Bornem on the last few kilometres of the walk, a full street carnival was underway, with crowds three or four deep cheering the participants home.

The three crossed the finish line with blistered feet and tired legs after just over 20 hours.

They were presented with their medals, a pineapple and a pint of beer, brewed specially for the event.

For Matt Brushett, an experienced long distance walker, the Deathmarch was something special.

"The party atmosphere made the 20 hours fly by," he said.

"Although my legs and feet hurt now, I"m sure I"ll be back for another Deathmarch next year."

l If you"d like to try something challenging, or just have a lot of fun doing activities like flying, gliding, rock climbing and hillwalking, 1148 (Penarth) Squadron are recruiting now. Many young people are enjoying themselves and gaining skills for life as part of the Air Training Corps, why don"t you join them?

They parade every Monday and Wednesday night between 7pm and 9.30pm alongside Dingle Road Train Station. Drop in and see them, phone on 029 2035 0448 or visit www.bearshead.co.uk