Lt Chelsea Baker makes history for Royal Navy Athletics 10 February 2023 Storyline: Athletics The Royal Navy Athletics Endurance Athletes travelled to Tidworth Park in Wiltshire on the 9th February to compete against the British Army, RAF and hosts in Cross Country. The Team was welcomed by dry, overcast but cold conditions with firm underfoot well-kept ground, what you would expect from a park that host the Tidworth Polo Club. A new format of just two races saw the females set off over 8k at 1200. From the gun it was clear that UKAF, and current UK lead female at 10 miles on the road, athlete Lt Chelsea Baker, was intent on getting a podium place after her excellent fourth placing in 2022. The two and a half laps saw the early contenders break away quickly with Chelsea rubbing shoulders with both Army and RAF competitors, some of whom have international credentials. Five soon became four, then three, and finally two as the pace increased. Chelsea literally put her foot down in the closing two miles and broke the Army runner, continuing to extend her lead until finishing almost ten seconds clear to win her first Inter-Service Cross Country gold medal. Chelsea’s historical win is believed to make her the first ever Royal Navy female gold medallist at Inter-Services Cross Country. The remaining Royal Navy females ran strongly finishing a creditable 11th, 12th and 16th with the strength of the other services pushing them into third place.
