A RUNNER has accused the Ministry of Defence of shooting itself in the foot by “contributing to the downfall” of a gruelling fundraiser.

The annual PARAS’10 race, which has raised about £1.6 million for the military community, has been indefinitely suspended.

Support Our Paras pulled the plug on the event in Colchester in May when soldiers were required abroad but has now cancelled it for good.

The MoD charges the race’s coordinators to rent the land participants run across, for the soldiers who marshal it and for the equipment used to host it.

Gazette: Tough - PARAS'10 sees entrants compete in a ten mile trek around MoD land in ColchesterTough - PARAS'10 sees entrants compete in a ten mile trek around MoD land in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

But the MoD no longer offers a discount to Support Our Paras, making the event too expensive for it to run.

Bill Hayton, who has competed in the fundraiser three times, accused the MoD of being “short-sighted” in pulling back its support.

“If the MoD don’t allow this to happen and Support Our Paras don’t raise the money, then presumably there is going to be a gap somewhere in supporting the veterans,” said Mr Hayton, from Colchester.

Gazette: Criticism - Bill Hayton competed in PARAS'10 three times Criticism - Bill Hayton competed in PARAS'10 three times (Image: Newsquest)

“Like a lot of people who will have taken part in the event, I am really disappointed.

“It is a huge challenge, part of the reason you do it is because you are raising money for a really good cause and now we won’t be able to show our support.

“It seems really short sighted that the MoD is doing this.”

Gazette: Challenge - entrants have three hours to complete the raceChallenge - entrants have three hours to complete the race (Image: Newsquest)

The Gazette put the concerns to the MoD, which directed us to a statement published on the PARAS'10 website.

The statement reads: “Our costs are increasing year on year. It is now becoming very difficult for this race to remain sustainable and financially viable.”

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

It was revived in 2008 in Catterick and, due to its huge success, was brought to the new home of the paratroopers in Colchester in 2012.

The challenging race sees entrants take on hills and water obstacles during a ten-mile trek across the city.

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.