A WOMAN officer came within two miles of being the first to complete the gruelling Parachute Regiment selection course.

Captain Eva Howard, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, stunned comrades with her toughness and determination.

12 Captain Eva Howard stunned her comrades with her determination

12 Eva got close to a pass than any other female candidate

And, in a rare honour, she was immediately invited to retake the course after Top Brass said she “smashed it”.

Sources said Capt Howard got closer than any other female candidate to joining the Paras — whose bravery and fighting spirit were portrayed in the star-studded 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far.

Over five days she and 73 other hopefuls faced eight challenges including having to complete a 10-mile march over rough terrain in full kit in less than an hour and 50 minutes.

All tasks were marked except for the epic “trainasium” — an assault course 55ft above ground which is either a simple pass or fail.

Capt Howard shone in all, even a 60-second boxing bout with a male rival.

But she struggled in the Log Race, in which a team of eight soldiers carry a 60kg telegraph pole over 1.9 miles of hills.

She nailed all the tests, endurance marches, assaults courses, and was just two miles short of passing the lot.

And on Tuesday she was pulled out of the Stretcher Race, where teams of 16 working four at a time carry a 70kg stretcher over five miles, after falling behind the pace with two miles to go.

Capt Howard — a keen rock climber, hiker and cyclist — is the first woman to complete Pegasus Company, or P Company, based in Catterick, North Yorks. It is widely considered the world’s toughest selection test outside Special Forces. Fifty of the soldiers passed.

A source said: “She nailed all the tests, endurance marches, assaults courses, and was just two miles short of passing the lot. Everyone was gobsmacked.

“People were saying a woman would never pass P Company, and yet she got so close.”

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Women were allowed into close combat roles in 2016. Last year Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said women could now apply for any British military role, including Special Forces.

In January ITV’s three-parter The Paras: Men of War featured the selection tasks and Channel 4’s fourth series of SAS: Who Dares Wins included for the first time 12 female hopefuls.

One of the three winners was Aberdeen orthopaedic surgeon Lou McCullough, who said: “Women can be just as strong, if not stronger than men, both mentally and physically.”

12 The coveted Paras' cap and badge Eva was working towards Credit: PA:Press Association

12 Eva has been invited back to retake the course

SAS: Who Dares Wins airs moment woman is punched in the head during brutal beating by male rival

P Company’s 8 selection trials: Events marked out of 10, pass score is 45

10 miler

12 The tough 10 miler has to be done in under 2 hours Credit: Alamy

A SQUAD march over hilly terrain with troops carrying a 35lb backpack and rifle. Has to be done in under 1hr 50mins.



Trainasium

12 This course is a simple pass or fail

ASSAULT course set 55ft above ground to test ability to overcome fear. No score for this event, it’s just a pass or fail.



2 mile march

12 The 2 mile march must be completed within 18 minutes Credit: Alamy

INDIVIDUAL jog over difficult terrain with 35lb backpack, water, rifle, a combat jacket and a helmet. Time limit: 18mins.



Steeplechase

12 The steeplechase is a gruelling part of the course Credit: Alamy

TIMED 2.2-mile cross-country run followed by an assault course. It has to be completed wearing a helmet and boots.



Milling

12 Eva almost beat a male opponent in the boxing task

A MINUTE-long boxing bout with no blocking and dodging with candidates scored on determination and aggression.



10 mile march

12 This march must be completed in just over 4 hours Credit: Alamy

A SQUAD trek over Catterick or Otterburn with 35lb pack, water and rifle. It must be done in under 4hrs and 10mins.



Log race

12 This task is performed in teams of 8 Credit: Corporal Ian Chapman/MoD/Bav Media

A TEAM of eight carries 60kg log over 1.9 miles wearing a helmet and webbing. Points for determination and leadership.



Stretcher race

12 A team of 16 carry 175lb stretcher over 5 miles

TEAM of 16 carries 175lb stretcher over 5 miles with helmet, webbing and rifle. No more than four lug it at a time.