ANTHONY Callaghan of Lydney carried nearly 80lb of weight during his latest test march and finished as the first solo master champion.

If the 55lb backpack wasn’t enough, Anthony also had to carry four litres of water, food, and a scaffolding pole which was classed as a ‘weapon’.

He said: “This ‘Richocet’ march, in a remote area of the Brecon Beacons, was much the same format as previous ones: unknown location, unknown route and unknown distance. But this one was harder than previous ones, the weight was increasing again.”

Competitors had to carry a weapon – a scaffold pole – and staff who recognised Anthony as a previous test march champion made him take a 13lb pole.

“This took the total weight up to nearly 80lbs,” said Anthony.

“Then we found out we couldn’t use our printed maps to navigate by, we had to use a drawn  sketch map.

“We met at 5.15am. While carrying our full kit, we had to jog/walk following the staff a few kilometres from base camp to the start.”

His backpack was weighed again and he was given a six-figure grid reference to head for.

“The terrain was horrendous, bogs and grass mounds. Within the first 10 minutes I was knee deep in a bog. But had to make sure I kept my  ‘weapon’ clean.”

At the end of the route he was given a physical and mental challenge and then told to make his way back to base.

“I was the first solo master champion – there was no award: a handshake and a Ricochet test march cloth badge, and told well done.”