Soldiers undergo gruelling Gurkha race

Soldiers from the British Army have taken part in a punishing Gurkha race in Surrey.

Participants carried a traditional Nepalese Doko basket weighing 15kg more than 5km at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright.

Corporal Nisaan Gurung said it was a "big event" on the calendar, especially for the Nepalese community.

"We were all looking forward to it," he told BBC Radio Surrey.

The Doko race was introduced in 1989 and is a rite of passage all Gurkhas must go through to be selected for the British Army's renowned Brigade of Gurkhas.

Participants have to complete the climb - with the basket strapped to their shoulders and head - in 43 minutes to progress to the next round of selection.

The real race takes place on a course in the foothills of the Himalayas and involves carrying a Doko, loaded with 25kg of sand.

Gurung told BBC Radio Surrey that when he did it back in Nepal, the route was "very hard" because it was mostly uphill.

"It's a test of physical and mental as well," he said.

"It takes a lot to be a Gurkha. Roughly 2 to 3% make the selection - only the best of the best will get in."

Alex Tetley, who did the race in Surrey on Wednesday for the RAF, said she was one of the only women there.

"I wanted to show that obviously everybody's capable of whatever they want to do."

She told the BBC she had prepared by running through the woods and just "praying for the best really".

Tetley added she did not look at the course beforehand.

"If we had looked at the course maybe we wouldn't have wanted to do it so much," she joked.

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