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Thousands cross Ten Tors finish line on Dartmoor

Chloe Parkman,
Zhara Simpsonand
Angela Kalwaites,Devon
News imageBBC Six boys stand in a line on the moors. They are wearing multi-coloured umbrella hats with medals around their neck. The moors are visible behind them.BBC
From left, Josh, Ben, Thomas, Finn, Sen and Michael show off their medals after completing the challenge

Teams taking part in the two-day Ten Tors challenge have been crossing the finish line.

The teams set off on Saturday after arriving at Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor on Friday. Three challenges took place across the weekend, with 440 teams of six self-navigating routes of either 35, 45 or 55 miles.

The first team to cross the finish line on Sunday was from Wellington School in Somerset, followed by a group from Torquay Boys Grammar School. Teams need to finish by 17:00 BST to qualify for a medal.

It is the first time the Dartmoor Granite challengers, who complete a shorter route, will be crossing the same line.

News imageA group of boys wearing walking gear and medals around their neck. They are all looking towards the camera. Tents and the moors are visible behind them
From left, Nick, Oran, George, Jacob, George and Henry stand proud with their medals after the achievement

The Granite Challenge, formerly known as the Jubilee Challenge Plus, is aimed at young adults with special educational needs and disability (SEND) who are capable of an overnight stay but may find the Ten Tors Challenge too inaccessible due to their respective SEND.

The Jubilee Challenge - designed for young people with special needs, both physical and educational but without an overnight stay - also went ahead this year.

A team from Mill Ford School in Plymouth was the first to reach the Jubilee Challenge finish line on Saturday.

Families and friends of those taking part eagerly waited to see their loved ones complete the challenge.

News imageA man and woman are standing together. The man, on the left, is looking at the camera and holding a dog lead. The woman, on the right, is looking to the floor.
Paul and Jana said the weekend had been "really exciting"

Paul and Jana, parents of Eden from the Sidmouth College B-team, said they were "really proud".

"It's really exciting," Paul said.

"It's been really, really sort of a proud moment from my side to see all the hard work that he's put in really start to pay off, see them come together as a team, it's been great," he added.

News imageA man wearing a camouflage print jacket is standing indoors next to a large map of the moors. People are spread out around the room.
Hodgkins said completion of the challenge was the victory, not the speed in which it is done

Sgt Tosh Hodgkins, officer in charge of public information and registration for the weekend, said his role was to keep parents informed on the whereabouts of their children using trackers.

"We've got the level of detail where we can see where each individual is," he said. "If there are ever any concerns, we can identify them straight away."

Hodgkins said the challenge was not a race.

"It's the completion that is the journey and the victory," he added.

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