Click here for more photos

Footsore and weary, seventeen boys from Beechen Cliff School returned to Bath and ‘touched the school door’ having endured a 100 mile walk in less than 48 hours.

The annual Centurion Challenge saw 28 boys volunteer to try and win the coveted title of ‘Centurion’, a silk tie and medal, all part of a tradition which goes back to the 1960s.

The boys leave Beechen Cliff School at 4 p.m. on a Friday, head for a camp at Devizes and rise early on the Saturday to walk to Hungerford – touching the church door of  St Thomas’ Church door.

After a few minutes rest they face the weary journey back to Devizes, often not returning until late on the Saturday night.  Despite the inevitable cramp and extreme blisters, they then emerge from sleeping bags on the Sunday morning and make the last ‘leg’ of the epic journey to Bath.  They must get to the school door by 4 p.m. or lose the chance of being a ‘Centurion’.  Supported by a team of teachers and parents, the challengers are well catered for, particularly as the main meals are cooked by Beechen Cliff’s now legendary chef, Tim Fletcher.

First back to the school was Head Boy, Tom Marshall, covering the entire 100 miles in less than 22 hours of walking time.  Close on his heels were Ollie Harding, Charlie Falkus and Martin Paley, Year 10 and 11 boys.  A further 13 boys then went on to achieve the feat, the last one arriving with only 8 minutes to spare before the 4 p.m. deadline was reached.

Richard Stewart, Head of Science and Leader of the Centurions, was very impressed by their commitment.  “Despite the pain and general discomfort of walking such a huge distance the boys achieved great success, drawing admiration from many along the way, including those who gave donations to the chosen charity for the event, ‘Help for Heroes’.  It is an honourable tradition of Beechen Cliff and it is good to see that there is such enthusiasm from the pupils to test themselves against this most gruelling of challenges.”

The successful Centurions will receive their awards at the end of term assembly later this month.