Commando 2024 Race Report

Commando 2024 Debrief: On the 12th and 13th October, our recruits were put through their paces at our obstacle mud run, Hever Castle, Kent…

Commando once again delivered an amazing weekend of courage, determination and unity. Hundreds of participants took to the course, cheered on by family and friends. Our Royal Marine Commando Instructors were raring to go, waiting to beast the recruits as they made their way around the obstacle course.

Families, friends, colleagues,  sports teams and individuals took part, taking on the course with plenty of enthusiasm. The mud was spectacular, beastings were frequent and there were smiles aplenty. 

 

From the moment recruits set foot on the grounds of Commando, they were transported into a world defined by discipline, camaraderie, and relentless endurance.

Each recruit was handed their signature Commando t-shirt— dark green and emblazoned with a bold insignia.

 

Recruits soon met the powerhouse instructors: Bart and Dougie, who were legendary for creating the best OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) warm-ups around. Known as the “best OCR warm-up ever,” their drills whipped participants into shape, combining military precision with high-energy routines. They demanded absolute focus, ensuring that recruits’ heart rates soared and muscles were burning before they even hit the starting line.

Friends and Family gathered at the edge of the warm-up zone, cheering their loved ones on, adding to the electric atmosphere. Around the iconic Hever Castle grounds, spectators enjoyed a variety of concessions, from food and drink stalls to the lively bar. The finish line celebrations promised a welcoming party of smiles, support, and enthusiasm for those who braved the challenges ahead. It was more than just an event—it was an experience for everyone involved, with something to enjoy at every corner.

After enduring Bart and Dougie’s gruelling warm-up, recruits were transported across the picturesque Hever Castle lake in landing craft, an homage to military amphibious operations. The crossing was more than just a scenic ride—it included an O-group briefing, or orders, preparing participants mentally for the battle ahead. The anticipation was palpable, with Chief Commando, Brian Adcock, outlining the daunting series of obstacles they would soon face.

As the landing craft docked, recruits were plunged straight into action. Each wave of participants was unleashed onto the first obstacle: Estuarine Emersion, a chilling water-based challenge designed to shock the senses and test resilience from the outset. The 3k, 6k, and 12k recruits parted ways after this, with the 3k group heading towards the fast-paced River Cross. Meanwhile, the 6k and 12k groups braced themselves for the brutal Tunnel Rats, a test of endurance and fearlessness in dark, wet, narrow passages.

The 12k recruits were truly in for a test of grit. Tackling 50 obstacles, including mud pits, high walls, monkey bars, rope swings, and freezing water plunges, some also carried an extra 21lb of kit and wooden rifle at times, replicating the demands placed on real Royal Marines Commandos.

This extra weight tested their stamina and resilience, as they needed to power through the obstacles while managing the added burden. Every aspect of the course was a testament to physical toughness, mental fortitude, and the camaraderie that often emerges in extreme challenges.

 

 

The climax of the day came at the 12ft wall, the final obstacle. By now, exhaustion had set in, but the sight of the towering wall was enough to reignite every recruit’s fighting spirit. With sheer determination, they stormed the obstacle, summoning every last ounce of strength to scale the daunting height. At the top, they were greeted with cheers from spectators and fellow recruits alike, before sprinting to the finish line.

After crossing the finish line, mud-soaked and exhausted, participants were greeted not just with cheers and a unique Commando dog tag and a warm drink, but with a sense of immense relief. The course had tested their physical and mental limits, but the ordeal wasn’t quite over. Fortunately, a welcome oasis awaited—warm showers and heated changing tents were strategically set up to offer a quick escape from the day’s grit and grime.

For many, the time spent in the event village was the perfect ending to an extraordinary day. They had survived the course, conquered their fears, and pushed their limits, and now they could relax, laugh, and enjoy the festivities with a well-earned sense of pride.

This event was like no other OCR event, meticulously designed to recreate the essence of Royal Marines Commando training. It tested not only physical endurance and stamina but mental strength, vigilance, and the courage to push through seemingly insurmountable challenges. It was an opportunity for recruits to measure their limits against a military-style course, embracing the Commando values of Courage, Determination, and Unity.

And for those eager for the next challenge, Commando 2025 will return on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025. Book now to receive a super saver discount and prepare yourself to face the ultimate test of courage and determination. Will you brave Commando 2025?

Over and out.

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