Marines Pole-axed by trio (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Marines Pole-axed by trio

THREE Cotswold businessmen have defied the odds and beat off Royal Marines and polar bear attacks to win what has been dubbed 'the world's toughest event'.

Hardware.com, which is made up of South Cerney-based Rory Sweet, Henry Cookson and publican Rupert Longsdon, were the first team to cross the finishing line in Polar Challenge 2005 - a gruelling 320-mile race to the Magnetic North Pole.

Along the way, they endured a polar bear attack and held off a strong challenge from teams of professionally-trained servicemen, including former Royal Marines Commando Joe, who also come from the Cotswolds.

Speaking from the Magnetic North Pole early yesterday morning (WEDS), just moments after crossing the finishing line and knocking some four days off the previous best time, Henry, said: "We're absolutely elated. We're pretty shattered. We did 50 miles during the final stint and have had just four hours sleep in the last two days.

"When we first considered doing it we thought getting to the end was going to be good in itself. But when we reached checkpoint one first we just pushed it and pushed it."

Hardware.com were hotly pursued by Commando Joe, led by Cirencester 'action man' Charlie Martell during the later stages.

But not even a polar bear attack at checkpoint two could deter the three traditionally 'office-bound' businessmen and the trio have been keeping colleagues back home amused with their comical online race reports throughout.

Henry added: "We got the shotgun out and loaded it but, fortunately the bear got frightened off.

"You totally forget the pain in your legs when something like that happens but it was a magnificent site."

Mark Crocker, managing director of Rory's South Cerney-based firm Hardware.com, which sponsored the team, said: "It gives hope and faith to everyone who has ever dreamt of taking part in an adventure race.

"The most astonishing things is that they've been competing against people, who've trained to survive and fight in those conditions."