Originally Posted by
Pontius Navigator
TTH, we had a Nimrod captain who also ran marathons but couldn't meet the run times.
The Service is looking for all round fitness not for Geoff Capes or Roger Bannisters. At least they don't ask recruits to load a truck with sandbags
Candidates are advised not to go all out on the run BECAUSE it is quickly followed by the press-ups and sit-ups. The better they do, the more it helps their chance of selection but there is no sympathy for failures... this part of selection is completely within the gift of the candidate.
It is important to reach the basic fitness standard before joining to give assurance that cadets have some resilience; ie, they do not break as soon as they’re asked to carry a stretcher/rucksack!