Colchester PARAS'10 fundraiser 'suspended indefinitely'

The annual PARAS'10 endurance race, which has raised about £1.6 million for the military community, has been cancelled going forwards.

The 11th edition of the annual PARAS'10 endurance race was due to be staged earlier in May before the plug was pulled on the plans due to soldiers being taken away from Colchester to perform their jobs in a humanitarian role overseas.

Participants tackle the tough conditions at a previous PARAS'10 event (Image: Toby Kew)

“Our race, quite rightly, became a low priority and had to be cancelled”, a spokesman said.

“Our focus then shifted to supporting those deployed soldiers and their families and to being there for them should they need us.”

Now, organisers have said they have made the “tough decision” to “suspend PARAS'10 Colchester indefinitely”.

PARAS'10 was originally founded by WO1 JJ Wilson in 1982 and was hosted by The Parachute Regiment in Aldershot until 1993, when the regiment left.

It was revived by Maj Sam McGrath in 2008 in Catterick, and, due to its huge success, was brought to the new home of The Parachute Regiment, Colchester, in 2012.

The tough race sees entrants brave hills and water obstacles during a ten-mile trek across Colchester.

It can be completed as a cross-country race in trainers or as the P Company Challenge – wearing boots, trousers and carrying a 35lb rucksack.

Hundreds of runners typically took part in the annual event (Image: N/A)

Bosses have said The Parachute Regiment's “operational tempo and level of commitment has been steadily increasing and will continue to do so in the future”.

They added how it “jeopardises both the level of support and therefore the quality and standard of the event”.

Organisers also cited the charges for use of the land and equipment involved in the event as reasons for stopping it.

“We used to receive a discount on these costs, but this is no longer the case.

“Our costs are increasing year on year, and it is now becoming very difficult for this race to remain sustainable and financially viable”.

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However, a new event to replace the PARAS’10 has been teased.

A statement reads: “Whilst PARAS 10 Colchester as you know it will be no more, we are working very hard on a new, exciting, and different fitness challenge that can take its place.

“Full details, including the name reveal, will be shared with you very soon.

“Thank you for supporting and enjoying our Colchester race with us for so long.”