Prince William's endurance test

Sep 26, 2006, 13:46 GMT

Britain's Prince William showed impressive physical stamina by completing a gruelling endurance test yesterday (25.09.06).

The 24-year-old, who has almost finished his Army Officers' course at Sandhurst Military Academy, was left exhausted by the eight mile march through the woods in Camberley, Surrey.

The training exercise was so intense that 30 of the princes' fellow officer cadets had to pull out during the test, which began at 7.30am and took almost two hours to complete.

William and the rest of his platoon carried an SA800 rifle and a backpack weighing 66 pounds throughout the hike.

A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "The packs weigh as much as a small child but this time next year these men could be leading their troops out to battle. It's crucial that they are supremely fit."

Once the gruelling exercise had been completed, the platoon was given lessons on peace negotiations.

A Sandhurst source said: "The cadets are broken in gently. But the pace quickly picks up and these loaded marches are absolutely gruelling.

"They are an important part of training, however, and William is shaping up to be a fine cadet."

(C) BANG Media International