They've done it. After braving the gruelling weather, the most difficult of obstacles and a whopping 10K's worth of running in between, the PASS team has successfully completed their Beach Assault course and raised thousands of pounds for a great cause in the process.

Raising money for CHUF (the Children's Heart Unit Fund) at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, the team have spent the last few weeks preparing for the course, dusting off their running shoes and sporting their best jogging gear as they prepared for what was sure to be a highly challenging event.

This isn't just a mere 10K run though; the Beach Assault is an assault course as well, packed to the gills with energy-sapping obstacles. No matter how hard they trained the PASS team had no idea what they were in for on the day as all of the obstacles were kept strictly under wraps, but with names like the 'Killzone' and 'Belly Buster', they certainly weren't going to be a walk in the park.

Taking place on the sunny beaches (or rainy, extremely windy beaches in March) of Whitley Bay and the surrounding area on Saturday 29th March 2014, the team were pushed to their physical and mental peak by both the running and the obstacles the event organisers dreamed up.

Judging by some of the bruises and aches many of the team are sporting two days after the event, we can certainly say many of the obstacles lived up to their dangerous reputation. The team found themselves slogging through a muddy bog (with at least two losing their shoes to the quagmire in the process), climbing over massive walls and haystacks and being shot at by highly trained shooters with paintballs. With a 10K run added on top, the team have all really excelled themselves by getting through it.

18 members of PASS took part in the event and all 18 crossed the finish line. Aside from a few nasty bruises inflicted by paintballs, they all appear to be in one piece as well! Our winner was Andy Richford who managed to clock the best time overall at 01:26:53. He was closely followed by Dave Atkins with a time of 01:27:05 and Chris Measor takes the bronze position with a time of 01:27:55.

Through sponsorship on our Just Giving page, the team all managed to earn a fantastic total of £1665.63 for CHUF. Managing Director of PASS, Barry Atkins, has also announced that he plans to match the total gained on JustGiving, giving us a grand total (at time of writing - sponsorship still open!) of £3331.46!

The money will go towards funding life-saving research and equipment at CHUF in Newcastle, giving babies and children born with heart defects the care and support they need in a dangerous and extremely sad time for parents. It's a great cause and every bit of money you can spare helps, so please take the time to sponsor us!

In the meantime, why not enjoy a few of the best snaps from the day?

Zulu-Warrior MD

Windswept Findlay

Victory!

Paintballs Hurt

The After-Shot

Big thanks to all of the family, friends and coworkers who also braved the elements to support the team on the day! Your freezing sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

Special congrats to all of the team - Andy, Dave, Chris Measor, Chris Rossinelli, Mark, Stephen, Jordon, Arturs, Calum, Dom, Nathan, Katie, Michael, Ibrahim, Jack, Barry, Ben and Tom.

Great North Run next anyone?

Remember you can sponsor us by visiting our JustGiving page!