TAB stands for Tactical Advance to Battle. The Parachute Regiment challenges you to attempt the 10 Mile ‘P’ Company Cross Country Route, carrying a bergen (rucksack) weighing 35lb (excluding food water) and wearing long trousers with ‘military style’ or hiking boots with ankle support. Competitors rucksacks will be weighed before and after the race, by race officials.

The PARAS’10 RUN and PARAS’10 TAB events are open to anybody over the age of 16.

The PARAS’10 is based on the 10-miler, which is the first event of The Parachute Regiment’s P Company Test Week for selection. The 10-mile march is conducted as a squad over undulating terrain with each candidate carrying a bergen (backpack) weighing 35lbs (plus water) and a weapon. The march must be completed in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Karl Sutton 2023

I have supported PARA Charity for quite a number of years; I suppose my interest goes back to being a young boy and reading of the regiments coming into being, development and its many honours and achievements. Although I always had ambition and interest in joining the military, for one reason and another it remained an unfulfilled dream but there we go eh, c’est la vie.

My first Catterick Para’s 10 TAB was 2009 and I have completed every one since (13), although in 2020 I missed the virtual Catterick due to a mix up. I my son and a friend Gaz completed our own 10 mile tab in 2020 as a substitute. I have done a parachute jump for the charity at Hibaldstow a few years ago and also during the covid pandemic completed virtual Arnhem and the Covid 2.6 challenge.

I entered last year’s Catterick TAB very late due to a hernia operation in July, I had to pass on the Tab as I was only 7 weeks post op on September 3rd. Due to the hernia and subsequent operation I had not done any weight carrying tabbing since the previous year’s Catterick event so ended up completing the event but without the weighted bergan. I’m approaching 65 now and it’s definitely not getting easier but once again I’m back to TAB the event.

Over the years my fellow tabbers at Catterick for the odd event my friends Browny, stu, Gaz, Lester and nephew Phil. My son Tony and brother Richie have completed the event about six or seven times each, my brother will be joining me again this year with his son Harrison ( up with the front runners last year ). Tony also back on the grid this year. Linda my sister will be back with us as our admin support, missing her first event last year due to a family holiday; her support was missed.

Please consider helping us support this fantastic, worthy if little known military charity, your help will be greatly appreciated.

SUPPORT OUR PARAS is the only charity which exists solely to support The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces, looking after veterans, serving soldiers and families within our Airborne community.

We are there for our nation’s paratroopers through the good times and the bad; from the moment they join our family to the sounding of the last post..