A Royal Marine who was a pupil of Ellesmere Port Catholic School has taken on a test of strength and endurance to mark the 350th anniversary of the birth of the Royal Marine Corps.

Corporal (Cpl) Kris Foster, who lives in Chester, was one of two Royal Marines who stepped up to the plate to flip a large tyre a distance of 3,500 metres around the perimeter road at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall.

Cpl Kris Foster encouraging Sgt Garthland as they took turns to flip the tyre
Cpl Kris Foster encouraging Sgt Garthland as they took turns to flip the tyre

As a warm-up, he and Sergeant (Sgt) Rob Garthland completed a swim, run and row of 3,500 metres each and then undertook a rope climb of 350 metres in the gym at the Royal Navy training base.

After spending two hours flipping the tyre, they finished the challenge with a Spartan 350, seven sets of 50 bodyweight exercises.

The super-fit Royal Marines started their challenge at 7.30 in the morning with the aim of also raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), which supports today’s serving personnel, veterans and their families. They finished at 12.45pm.

Cpl Foster, aged 32, said: “This was the first time I’d done something like this, but Rob has done a couple of charity challenges before.

“When I heard what he was doing this time I wanted to get involved. It’s the kind of training I do anyway so the whole challenge really suited me.

“Doing it all in one day was hard, but it wouldn’t have been worth doing if it wasn’t. The run and the swim took us about 30 minutes and I clocked the swim at 116 minutes.

“This is a massive birthday for the Royal Marines. There are things going on all year and we wanted to be involved and play our part.

“I doubt I’ll still be in when the 400th anniversary ticks round, so this was our opportunity. The RNRMC is a charity that is very close to all our hearts and one day it may pay us back.”

Cpl Foster joined the Royal Marines in July 2001 and became friends with Sgt Garthland during their initial training at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone.

Cpl Foster is currently undergoing his senior command course at Lympstone and is due to replace Sgt Garthland at HMS Raleigh in October, where his duties will include taking Naval recruits through the PT element of their 10-week initial naval training course.

He has also served with 40 Cdo, at the Commando Training Centre as a PTI and with the Armoured Support Group.

Donations can be made in support of Cpl Foster’s efforts online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/350RMChallenge.