Team chill out after reaching Pole (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Team chill out after reaching Pole

FORMER champion jockey Richard Dunwoody and his former Army commando team-mate Tony Martin overcame the odds to finish what has been dubbed the world's toughest race.

And, after nearly a month on the ice, the racing legend and his Polar Team colleague, who comes from Cirencester, have been looking forward to returning to a warmer climate.

The duo covered up to 400 miles in 11 days to finish second in a race to the Magnetic North Pole, despite a catalogue of injuries and a run-in with a Polar bear.

During the race, Richard suffered minor frostbite in his fingers and dislocated his shoulder twice, while Tony was forced to shoot above the head of the angry bear, which refused to let them pass during one of the four race stages.

After the race, Richard said: " It's the toughest thing I've ever done. There were times when you think 'what are you doing here? This is complete madness', but it's fantastic to get it done.

"My main priority now will be to get my shoulder sorted out." Tony was forced to pop Richard's shoulder back into place during the third stage and there were fears the team may not be able to complete the gruelling challenge.

But, despite the injuries, Polar Team managed to race neck-and-neck with eventual race winners Initial Style Explorers (ISE) during the final leg, finishing just two minutes behind them - Polar Team finished several hours behind ISE over the whole race but a long way in front of the other competitors.

Tony said: "We were really tired. We're obviously disappointed we didn't win but ISE are a very good team. They're great guys and it was a pleasure racing with them."

Both teams were greeted at the Pole on Thursday by Cirencester Chamber of Commerce president Mark Harris, who was forced to withdraw from Polar Team at the last minute with a suspected hernia.

The businessman, who runs internet development firm 3W Marketing, performed a record-breaking gig on his guitar at the world's most northern point with his rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to one of the ISE team members.

Polar Team, whose patron is Lord Apsley of Cirencester Park, are supporting various charities.