Miss England hopefuls got down and dirty today as they were put through their paces at a Tough-Mudder style boot camp.
The group of stunning semi-finalists were put through their paces by specialist military trainers at the Kelham Hall and Country Park, near Newark, Notts.
A total of 79 girls were all competing for one single place in the Miss England final – which will be held in Torquay next month.
[half]
[/half]
[half]
[/half]
They were put through a strenuous workout – which included a bleep test, push-ups and shuttle runs – in temperatures reaching 23 degrees.
- [link_post id=”49070″]
- [link_post id=”48507″]
After the hour-long session competition bosses crowned Laura Clare, 17, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, as Miss Sportswoman.
It means blonde Laura, who won Miss Popularity South Yorkshire in February, will be fast-tracked to the final on June 14 with the chance of reaching the Miss World championships.
Yesterday the pretty college student, who is studying business management, said: “It was totally overwhelming, I didn’t think I’d even get through the first bleep test.
” I really wanted to get through to the finals so I think that’s what kept me going.
“I thought I was goner in the first few minutes, I was absolutely knackered.
“But somehow I pushed through, don’t ask me how as I just don’t know. When we hit the bleep test I really didn’t think I could manage more.
“Then we had to do sit ups and burpees and all sorts, it was intense.
“Now I just feel excited that I’m through to the final.”
James Evans, co-founder of Xtreme Boot Camps, who put the contestants through their paces, said: “The fitness tests are like no other the contestants have previously experienced, they’ll certainly be in excellent shape for the rest of the judging process.
“We tested the contestants not just physically but for mental toughness too.
“Xtreme Boot Camps instructors are all serving or ex-military personnel, fitness qualified to at least Level 3, using tried and tested military training techniques.
“The winner of the semi-final is fast-tracked through to the final so it’s a huge responsibility to find a deserving winner.
“Laura really pushed herself and thoroughly deserves her title.
“The heat today has made the boot camp even tougher than usual and all the girls deserve huge respect for their achievement. “
Angie Beasley, director of Miss England, added: “We were very impressed with the Xtreme Boot Camps training ethos and how the team intends to put hopefuls through a boot camp fitness experience that they will benefit hugely from.”
