NOVICES, Experts and Marines smashed a mountain bike endurance challenge in memory of a Weymouth Royal Marine.

The Big Reach Enduro was held in memory and in tribute to Royal Marine James Wright, who died in Afghanistan last August.

The event was named after Marine Wright’s nickname, which he was given after he befriended a wrestler of that name in New York.

Marine Wright, inset below, loved kayaking, mountain biking and motocross.

Friends, family and those up for a challenge took to the track at Rogershill Raceway to try their skill on the two courses – beginner and advanced – during the three-hour event on June 3.

The event raised £1,600 for the Royal Mar-ines Charitable Trust Fund.

Among those taking part were many of Marine Wright’s close friends and family, competitors from the Rogershill Off-Road Events and SCEC Motorcycle Enduro Series, and ten Royal Marines from 42 Commando based at Bickleigh.

Marine Wright’s father Dave Wright said it had been a fantastic day.

He said: “The Marines made an extra special effort in true bootneck tradition by turning up in fancy dress – mainly as scantily clad women.

“They crossed the finish line spectacularly with blazing flares attached to their bikes, to everyone’s amazement.”

More than 100 challengers took on the track, and in true bootneck style went out and ‘smashed’ it.

Mr Wright said that many of those who turned up expecting to do only one or two laps of the easier course ended up doing more laps as well as venturing on to the challenge course. As a measure of the effort put in, between them they drank more than 60 litres of orange squash.

Mr Wright said: “The event raised over £1,600 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, which was a bonus to the fact that it went so well and everyone enjoyed themselves in achieving more than they thought they were capable of. In bootneck terms, they took on the track and smashed it.”

Mr Wright said feedback had been so positive that they would ‘definitely’ be running the event next year.

He added a thank you to everyone who helped in any way, particularly Rogershill Raceway for the venue, Mud Sweat and Gears for organisation and admin, Wey Valley School for bikes, equipment and posters and Dorset Vehicle Rentals for transport.