BOMBING WEEK - Royal New Zealand Air Force

THE 50 MILE
CHALLENGE
On 11 March, 62 Air Training Corps Cadets, inspired
by former United States President John F. Kennedy’s
challenge to walk 50 miles, embarked on a 50 mile
(80.4kms) walk from Woodville to Masterton.
This was the 30th annual event, organised and run by
No 21 (District of Masterton) Squadron and supported
by participants from No. 2 (Hutt City) Sqn , No. 9 (City
of Wanganui) Sqn, No.10 (City of Palmerston North)
Sqn, and No. 22 (City of Upper Hutt) Sqn.
The genesis of the walk was in the 1960s when
the president of the United States, John F. Kennedy,
believing the youth of America were becoming too
automated, challenged them to walk 50 miles. The
idea was picked up by the No. 21 (Masterton District)
Squadron’s Unit Commander, who was in the United
States at the time. He challenged the Central Region
ATC Squadrons to participate.
The challenge is not a race, but rather a team effort
to help all participants strive to complete the distance
or at the very least to go further than they thought
they possibly could. Of the 62 cadets who set out on
11 March, 27 covered the whole distance, with the
rest pushing themselves to the limit. After setting off
and walking through the night, Cadets, NZCF Offi cers
and support staff were treated to a much-deserved
breakfast at Eketahuna. After 22 hours of walking
State Highway 2 the group, with blisters, sore knees
and weary bodies reached Masterton.
A big thanks goes to FLTLT Pauline Leech (NZCF) and
her team at No 21 Squadron ATC for organising this
event. Also, all the NZCF Offi cers and support staff who
encouraged and supported the cadets.
The cadets were especially inspired when the Chief
of Defence Force AM Bruce Ferguson and Mrs Ferguson
accompanied them. The CDF and his wife spent over
fi ve hours walking with, and encouraging the cadets.
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN69, APRIL 06
Fay McGregor (right) and the No.22 Squadron team.
AIRMSHL Bruce Ferguson is accompanied by his wife, and Ashleigh Blackmore
(13), Amanda Donnellan (15 - obscured), Nicola Craig (14), and Lauren Foley (13).
The walkers put their feet up, letting the blood fl ow back the other way.
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