A GRUELLING 25-mile race through the desert has earned a soldier from Padiham a gold medal for Britain.

Gunner Anthony Boyle, 21, a member of the 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, took part in the race through the deserts of New Mexico in the USA.

The event is known as the Bataan Death March, in commemoration of a trek undertaken by American Prisoners of War at the hands of the Japanese during World War Two.

Anthony, a former Habergham High School pupil, was faced with dehydration, heat-stroke and rattlesnakes.

With temperatures reaching the 90s, the conditions proved too much for some of the 1,500 competitors.

Anthony said the conditions made it the toughest race he had tackled.

He said: "Most of the time you are running down dirt tracks, but some of it is across sand which comes up over your ankles."

Anthony and six colleagues were awarded a gold medal in a race tackled by military competitors from around the world.

"Every year the Americans get harder to beat, but for us it has become a matter of pride.

"Nobody wants to be part of a team that goes back to Britain without some medals," explained Anthony.

The team had been training since early February, completing 15 mile runs on the South Downs as well as circuit training and swimming sessions.

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