THE skyscrapers and bitumen roads of Brisbane are far away but that hasn’t stopped fitness-conscious soldiers deployed to Afghanistan training for their own desert version of the Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane race.
Close to 200 runners hit the sand in blistering heat topping 40C yesterday to take part in the Tarin Kowt Bridge to Brisbane.
Physical training instructor Sergeant Brady Whittaker, who organised the 5km and 10km fun run, said competition was important for the troops.
“’It gives them something else to do and something else to think about other than work,” Sgt Whittaker said.
Lieutenant Emma Cameron, from Chermside, is a physiotherapist at the base in Oruzgan province and pounded the bitumen on base in preparation for the competition.
In Brisbane, about 50,000 people are expected to compete tomorrow for the run – and walk – to the RNA showgrounds.
The weather is expected to be a cool 9C for the run, which will raise money for Autism Queensland.