On Saturday 16 October runners and walkers from across British Forces Cyprus gathered together to participate in the third annual SSAFA 10km cross country race.  The course can only be described as gruelling with a large proportion of very rough terrain and tough hill climbs.  The event starts in Happy Valley, follows once around the running track and across the polo pitch to the north of Happy Valley.  It then follows along a short stretch of tarmac road before a long steep and rugged climb up towards the motorway where even some of the most toughened runners revert to walking.  The route plateaus at the top before a steep descent down a cobbled Roman path back to the tarmac road that leads back to Happy Valley, across the polo pitch, back around the running track and finally across the finish line.  Nevertheless, this well renowned course did not deter a record number of 260 runners and walkers choosing to take on the challenge.  Amongst others there were participants from 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, 2 Royal Anglians, the UN and Episkopi Running Club.  The day began at 0815 with a children's 2km race around Happy Valley which was well supported and gave the opportunity for all family members to participate.  Over 40 children participated and the first boy across the finish line was Kyle Hazlewood, age 12 from Episkopi, Josh Thompson and George Culley came in second and third places respectively.  All children were awarded with a finishers medal.   At 0830 the walkers set off on the 10km route and finally at 0915 the runners followed.  An aerial view of Happy Valley at this time would have looked like a trail of enthusiastic ants winding up and down the hills in search of the ultimate objective.  The first runner to cross the finish line was WO2 Andy Buckley from Dhekelia in a phenomenal time of 37.22 mins which is the new course record.  He was followed by Sudarsan Dumai in 39.44 mins and Stuart Eggleton in 39.45 mins.  The first female across the finish line was Emma Claydon from Episkopi in 44.19 mins, followed by Denise Wink in 50.49 mins and Elena Neal in 51.03 mins.  For the walkers race, the first finisher was Ray Bolger in 1.24.20 hours, followed by Finley O'Connor in 1.24.35 and John Offord in 1.24.50.  Trophies were awarded to the first three finishers from each category and the first overall male and female were awarded with a €150 voucher off ForcesFlights.com.  The event was also supported by a number of local charities.  A combination of race fees, sponsorship and raffle tickets meant that SSAFA raised around €4500 which will be used for local project and casework.  SSAFA 10K Challenge