Teams of Matravers School students were entered into the Ten Tors challenge this year, aiming to complete routes at each distance over the weekend in early May.
Training for the event began in February, with some participants putting in hours of their own training to prepare them for the challenge this year. Training sessions took place on Salisbury plain, the Mendip hills, the Quantocks and Dartmoor itself and all of the young people involved, including those that did not make the final teams, performed brilliantly and showed great teamwork.
The event, which takes place annually on Dartmoor, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. It was a cause for celebration when each of the teams entered from Matravers came over the finish line on the Sunday with time to spare. The weather was kind to them over the weekend and all of those taking part managed to camp at their target camp on the Saturday night.
This allowed a respite before waking early on the Sunday morning to put in the final push to return to Okehampton camp, completing their 35, 45 or 55 mile routes across the moor. All members finished as complete teams of six and were awarded a medal and certificate commending their massive achievement.
“Huge congratulations to those who took part this year and thanks to all of those that helped with the training,” commented Andy Noad, Matravers Ten Tors team manager.
