THREE teams from Matravers have completed the Ten Tors challenge – one of the toughest tests of endurance in the country.
A team of six students from years 10, 11 and the sixth form were entered for each of the 35, 45, and 55 mile routes across the Dartmoor terrain, and all finished the challenge with plenty of time to spare.
The Ten Tors challenge, held this year on the weekend of the 14th-15th May, sees 2,400 individuals take on one of the three routes between ten nominated Tors. The intention is that teams are self-sufficient, carrying everything they need to survive two days on the moor.
This year, some of the year 11 participants at Matravers had the added challenge of having to sit their GCSE English language exam the morning after the hike!
The completion of the challenge was the result of months of training, including hikes on the Mendips, Salisbury Plain, and Dartmoor.
Teams from the school enter every year and this year Carole Standing, a member of staff at Matravers, led the Matravers teams. “They all did really well, I think they found the first Dartmoor training the hardest but by the event they knew what they had to do,” she said.
“It was sunny with a bit of wind, and fortunately the only rain was overnight which got the tents wet, but it was ideal walking conditions.
“I know a lot of schools pulled their teams because of the exam the next morning as it’s a question of how tired you’re going to be, but it wouldn’t have stopped our teams!”
Student Chris Joyce and Abigail Scott from year 12 were both in the team that tackled the gruelling 55-mile route and agreed it was highly challenging. Chris said, “It was very challenging, and definitely the biggest thing I’ve done. But the reward at the end is massive – having hundreds of people clapping you through the finish and getting a medal.”
