Following a request from the organisers of the 2005 Stotfold festival, it was decided to lift off the dust covers & resurrect the “Gun Run”. The challenge was thrown down to both cub packs to battle it out for the highly sought after “Gun Run” trophy.

They spent hours relentlessly training under the watchful eye of the “Gun Run” Crew Chief (Ray Kilby), on the far flung fields of Roecroft School. Grazed knees & bruised knuckles did not stop the two valiant teams from driving themselves almost to exhaustion, for the coveted prize.

It came then to that great day in history (25th June 2005). The service crew were up at the crack of dawn preparing the battlefield for the afternoon’s showdown. Both teams arrived full of vigour, and entered the “Gun crews mess tent” for a series of warming up exercises, and team talks. They donned their uniforms and prepared for the forthcoming event.
A hush fell over the field as the two teams entered the arena ready to do battle. This was what was going to make all of that toil on the training fields worthwhile. They readied their guns, and prepared themselves for the ordeal ahead.

A horn sounded and both teams were off. They ran to separate ends of the arena and set about dismantling their cannons. All of the pieces had to then be physically carried or dragged through the walls, and taken to the dreaded aerial runway. They then had to haul the cannons piece by piece, and the entire team across the runway, and then it all had to be taken through another wall before reassembly could commence. The Comanches were victorious on the 1st run, but only by a margin of two seconds. Could the Cherokees pull this back on the second run?

Both teams huddled for a tactical discussion prior to the second and final run of the day. Steely eyed they prepared for that final run. The horn sounded, and a blur was all that could be seen on both sides of the field as the two teams of gladiators drove on towards potential victory. A final blast of the horn ended the event, and both teams collapsed from their exertions.

As the dust settled the exhausted teams waited for the final times to be announced. Finally after what seemed like hours the Cherokee Cubs were hailed as the victors, but only by a margin of fourteen seconds overall. The whole arena erupted in rapturous applause for both teams as they celebrated the day. This was the first time that the Cherokees had won the trophy since the first “Gun Run” in 1999. Can they hold onto it in 2006? You’ll have to wait and see!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to (Crew Chief) Ray Kilby and all of the parents that helped to make this event happen.

Practice Sessions

Final 25th June 2005