?It?s like doing four London Marathons in a sauna?, was the verdict of one British Army officer from Tavistock, who was among 1,200 Armed Forces personnel enduring scorching heat in a 100-mile march in Holland. Lt Neil Thomas, of Germany based 2 Battalion the Royal Tank Regiment, took part in the 90th Nijmegen Marches?? a four-day endurance march held annually in mid-July in the Dutch town of Nijmegen. Every year, some 45,000 military and civilian marchers attend each of the four days of the event, which is known as De Vierdaagse. Preparing for the march alone takes months of dedicated training as the event is a gruelling test of stamina for all participants. However, the conditions this year were more arduous than ever, with this summer?s heat wave bringing dangerously high temperatures. Some walkers reported the temperature radiating off the streets at upwards of 40?C, leaving many unable to complete the first day. Neil, 26, attended Tavistock College and is now a tank commander at his regiment?s base in Fallingbostel, Germany. It was his first trip to the Nijmegen Marches. He said: ?The conditions really are unbearable for walkers, support staff and spectators alike but everyone is doing a good job of staying cheerful,? he said. The extreme conditions meant that first aid stations were inundated with people suffering from heatstroke and dehydration in addition to the usual blisters and muscle strain. During the course of the first day, 300 people were admitted to hospitals in the area and the local emergency services struggled to cope. None of the 30 or so British Armed Forces personnel who needed hospital treatment were seriously ill and they were released after further treatment. Sadly, two elderly civilian marchers died from heat related injuries and with temperatures expected to remain in the high thirties for the rest of the week organisers took the unprecedented decision to call the rest of the march off. In the 90 year history of the event, only the outbreak of war has prevented the march from going ahead.
