Ten Tors teams reach end of 'emotional' event

Teams taking part in the Ten Tors Challenge have crossed the finish line on the final day of the "phenomenal" event.

Thousands of teenagers from across the south west of England and beyond walked either 35, 45, or 55 miles (56, 72 or 88km) across Dartmoor.

The annual challenge, organised by the British Army's Headquarters South West, was kicked off on Saturday by Gen Sir Roland Walker, and participants had until 17:00 BST to cross the finish line.

Sgt Tosh Hodgkins, from the HQ South West cadet training team, said the challenge was "the most emotional" thing he had ever been involved in.

Sgt Hodgkins said: "The guys that volunteer to come and help keep this event safe, it's genuinely like an enormous family.

"The positivity up here is phenomenal, and everybody leaves with a complete buzz and a smile on their face."

Sgt Hodgkins said the young people taking part in the challenge "inspired" him.

The challenge, organised by the British Army's Headquarters South West, involves teams navigating routes across the northern half of Dartmoor in less than two days.

Participants must follow their allocated route, which specifies the staffed locations to visit and the order to visit them, but teams are responsible for navigating their own paths between those points.

The first teams to cross the finish line, together, were the Torquay Boys Grammar School and the Dartmoor National Trust, who both completed 35-mile (56km) routes.

Charlie Snell, from the Dartmoor National Trust team, said his group carried his bag for him for the last stretch of the trek because he had blisters on his feet.

"They were the only reason I made it, I'm very grateful to everyone," he said.

Ollie Brown, from Torquay Boys Grammar School, said he was "shattered" after completing the walk, but said "every single bit was worth it".

Another participant, Lars, said the challenge was "physically bad but mentally good".

"Emotions have been up and down and it's been an amazing event. My feet are dead but it's so worth it for the pasties at the end!"

Josie from Taunton School was the first girl to cross the finishing line.

She said: "It was the best experience ever, although definitely the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

"You're in the middle of nowhere and you need an amazing group of people around you to stay happy, positive and focussed and I think we all did that really well this weekend."

Col Matt Palmer said "operationally it has been an absolute success".

He said: "I have just come back off the moor and I have seen teens on their final run in having gone from hot yesterday to really cold and wet this morning.

"Seeing the resilience they are showing and teamwork makes me extremely proud.

"After two years of doing it, I understand why it's an inspirational event and puts a smile on your face."

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