On the 9th of April 2025, 14 OCdts and 3 staff members travelled to New York City to compete in the Rockaway Beach Half marathon. They stayed in the Rockaway beach hotel located at Rockaway beach outside Manhattan. On their first day in the States the team went on the ferry into Manhattan where they then had a private tour of the Ground Zero memorial and the 9/11 museum. The tour guide’s knowledge was impressive as he recalled his own devastating memories of September in 2001. He included stories of heroism from various individuals from a variety of backgrounds and how they displayed courage and kindness during the attacks.
That evening, the team went to the Theatre in Broadway to watch the renowned musical; Sunset Boulevard. The performance was mesmerizing and even involved the main character stalking the streets of New York while singing after the interval before re-emerging through the auditorium.
Day two in New York city the team were left to their own devices to carry out their individual race preparations. Several OCdts visited the American Natural history museum while other OCdts created a mini fridge for porridge and granola in their hotel room sinks using the ice dispensers. Plenty of burgers eaten for dinner to carb-load before race day.
Race day arrived with less than ideal conditions. Thirty mile per hour winds, sheet rain and minus temperatures made sure only the very committed attended Rockaway Track club’s prestigious event. The team were welcomed by the event organisers and a speech was given by an inspirational Canadian quadruple amputee who was running a marathon in every state. The race itself was flat, but the route (up and down the beach repeated twice) was mentally challenging on top of the headwind. OCdt William Mead placed second overall. Several of the OCdts hit PB’s and everyone completed the half marathon! Quick showers and the team used the ferry to transport into Manhattan to the second hotel.
On day four of the trip OCdts woke up in Times square and a hotel breakfast complete with a “make your own waffle” section (post race carb loading). The activities of the day involved a trip up the Rockefeller Centre to view New York from the “Top of the Rock” followed by a Baseball game; The New York Yankees vs the San Francisco Giants. Plenty of stadium food trailed and tested OCdts met back at the hotel before heading on a night to various Irish bars.
All the team enjoyed the trip to New York and voted the half marathon the highlight of their trip despite the weather! Hopefully next year the trip will head somewhere with slightly more sunshine but similar levels of enthusiasm.
University Officer Training Corps
The Universities Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC) is a unique place where students from all walks of life thrive, having exciting and rewarding experiences and make friends for life. As a member of the UOTC you will have amazing adventures, develop transferable skills, sporting opportunties and a great social life. You can do all of this alongside your studies, with the added bonus of being paid! As a member of the UOTC you have no commitment to a career in the Army after university.