The Commander’s Cup, held annually within the 16 Air Assault Brigade, showcases the spirit of competition and camaraderie across units. Among the various challenges, this year’s event saw The Second Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles entering the infamous PARAS’ 10, a grueling 10-mile race completed while carrying 35 lbs of equipment. Their determination and teamwork culminated in securing the first place.
Winning doesn’t happen by chance, it is earned through relentless effort, preparation, and resilience. The journey began with team selection, welcoming volunteers ready to embrace the challenge. This kickstarted four weeks of rigorous training, building not only physical strength but also mental fortitude. The team understood from the outset that mental toughness and a united team mindset were just as crucial as physical readiness.
Week one focused on evaluating our mindset and physical capacity. With each subsequent week, we intensified and adapted our preparation. By the fourth week, final team selection completed, confidence in our abilities, our team stepped into the competition united, hopeful, and optimistic.
On 5 March 2025, we travelled from Folkestone to Colchester, carrying with us the energy and determination built over weeks of effort. At 1345hrs, the race began, and as waves of teams embarked on the course, chatter sparked around who might claim victory. Amid the speculation, we held faith in our team’s ability to represent not just our battalion but the Brigade of Gurkhas with pride and excellence.
An outstanding performance that saw our team crossing the finish line two minutes ahead of the next competitors, securing a well-deserved first place. It was a privilege to lead such an exceptional team, united in their dedication, strength, and optimism. Together, we demonstrated that victory through hard work, resilience, and the unwavering will to succeed.
By Corporal Pawan Thulung (The Second Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles).
