SA Army Fittest Soldier Competition 2025: Battle Run, Gun Run, and the Road to Victory

As the seventeenth South African Army Fittest Soldier Competition entered its penultimate and final days, the Pride of Lions faced trials that demanded not just strength and endurance, but also unity and spirit. On Thursday, 04 September 2025, competitors endured the 3.2km Battle Run, followed by the thunderous Gun Run Battle of the Formations, and closed the day with the second Flower Ceremony. By Friday, 05 September, only one test remained: the ultimate 20km Endurance Walk, a final proving ground before the week’s champions could be crowned.

Day 5: The Battle Run

Persistence on the Open Road

The 3.2km Battle Run began beneath a blazing Potchefstroom sun, the air heavy with expectation. Competitors wore full battle kit, helmets, jackets, rifles, and two 2-litre water bottles strapped at their sides. The crack of the starting gun propelled soldiers into motion, boots drumming a defiant rhythm against the dust and stone.

The route carved northwest through rocky ground, punishing ankles and resolve. Sweat pooled beneath jackets, fatigue clawed at every stride, yet none yielded. By the time competitors reached the R53 road, passing cars and trucks joined the chorus of encouragement with horns and shouts. The final climb up 10 Artillery Brigade Road demanded everything left in the tank, but camaraderie carried many through.

As the finish line appeared beside the gates of 4 Artillery Regiment, soldiers surged forward for one last push, crossing not just as athletes but as warriors.

Day 5: Gun Run Battle of the Formations

1,600 Kilograms of Challenge

If the Battle Run was about persistence, the Gun Run was about teamwork. Immediately after the 3.2km test, competitors were grouped into formation teams and tasked with hauling a 1,600kg Ordnance Quick Firing GV1 25-pounder artillery piece around a 1.2km circuit.

Hands gripped gun shields, spades, and trails as the weapon rolled forward inch by inch, powered only by sweat and sheer determination. Gravel crunched, grass tore beneath boots, and shouts of encouragement pierced the air.

A Test of Unity

Every turn of the course demanded unity. Faces grimaced under strain, yet no one let go. The Gun Run became less about distance and more about proving that the strength of a formation lies in its cohesion. When the artillery finally crossed the finish line, victory belonged not to individuals but to teams, each formation proving itself in body and spirit.

Day 5: The Second Flower Ceremony

Medals and Camaraderie

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the second Flower Ceremony transformed the mess hall of 4 Artillery Regiment into a place of recognition. Medals were awarded for the Strongman Challenge, Artillery Surprise, Land Obstacle Course, Functional Fitness Test, Battle Run, and Gun Run.

Cheers filled the hall with each name called. Medals clinked as soldiers stood tall, faces glowing with pride despite exhaustion. The ceremony was steeped in dignity, but also carried a warmth of camaraderie, soldiers embracing one another’s triumphs as collective victories.

It was not just a night of medals; it was a night of spirit, where discipline and humanity stood side by side.

Day 6: The 20km Endurance Walk

The Final Trial

On Friday morning, 05 September, the competitors gathered once more at 4 Artillery Regiment, dawn mist hanging low as the 20km Endurance Walk awaited. Beside them lay their burden: 20kg sandbags for men, 15kg for women, slung into the “Big Bags” that would accompany them for the long march.

The air was crisp at thirteen degrees Celsius, but the sun promised a rise into the twenties before the day was through. Boots thudded in unison as soldiers streamed through the main gate into the training areas, winding through bushveld tracks and over rolling terrain.

March of Resilience

The road was long, the weight unrelenting, yet encouragement flowed freely along the route. Spectators, fellow soldiers, and commanders shouted words of support. Every step became a lesson in perseverance, sweat mixing with dust, determination etched into weary smiles.

When the finish line finally appeared, competitors crossed not as individuals but as representatives of the South African Army’s unyielding spirit. Dusty, drenched, and weary, they had endured every trial the competition could demand.

Looking Ahead

With the endurance walk complete, all that remains is the final Prize Giving, where the fittest among the Pride of Lions will be crowned. Yet, for many competitors, the journey itself has already been the reward - a proving ground of discipline, resilience, and unity.

Final Word: Persistence and Pride

The last two days of the South African Army Fittest Soldier Competition 2025 demonstrated the pinnacle of persistence. The Battle Run tested individual stamina, the Gun Run celebrated teamwork, the Flower Ceremony lifted morale, and the Endurance Walk brought it all together in one culminating test.

As the week draws to a close, Potchefstroom stands as witness to a legacy of determination and discipline. These soldiers, whether crowned champions or not, have shown what it means to carry the weight of service, to endure hardship, and to finish with heads held high.

All images credits to: SA National Defence Force

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