Training in Iraq for London Marathon

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With one eye scanning for suitable cover in the event of a rocket attack, the officer ran around a sprawling British military base outside the Iraqi city of Basra as part of a training programme for the upcoming London Marathon.
Captain John Gilbody and four colleagues, who are also deployed in southern Iraq, will fly back to Britain to take part in the annual event on April 13 to raise money for Sense, a charity for children and adults who are deaf and blind.
In preparation for the big day, the 29-year-old from Derbyshire also intends to run a ‘Basra marathon’ around the dusty airport camp next Sunday.
“My theory is that if you can run one mile then you can run 26,” Captain Gilbody said, after completing three laps of the base, or some 12 miles, on Thursday in a respectable 1 hour and 40 minutes. “I think it is a massive challenge, but I feel good. I am really proud to be doing this.”
Running a marathon is hard enough, but try throwing in the added risk of rocket fire, insecticide fumes and the heat of Iraq’s fast-approaching summer.
The Basra camp comes under near daily attack from rockets fired by Shia militiamen who want the British forces to leave Iraq. Hitting the deck fast, preferably under some hard cover, is the best course of action, but Captain Gilbody does not let the hazard get in the way of his outdoor training.
“It’s a threat, but the drill is the same,” said the officer from the Duke of Lancaster’s battle group. “Whenever I run I have always got one eye on where I would go if something happens.”

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admin @ March 25, 2008