Thousands cross Ten Tors finish line on Dartmoor
BBCTeams taking part in the two-day Ten Tors challenge have crossed 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.
Major Dave Pickering from the British Army reserves and SO2 Ten Tors said between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators attended the event across the weekend.
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 had to finish by 17:00 BST to qualify for a medal.
Torquay Boys' Grammer School team members said they had sore feet and legs after completing their 35-mile trek.
George said: "It was quite fun."
Henry said carrying the heavy kit was a downside but as time went on, it felt "less strenuous" on the move.
Nick added having their kit checked at the end, before receiving their medals, was "quite worrying" but because they went over it so many times, they felt confident.
Alex and his team of six from the Deg Karn Explorer Scouts completed 55 miles.
Alex said he had "pretty shocking blisters" but otherwise was feeling " pretty good".
"All six of us finished together which I think is pretty good."
A team of six from Okehampton College completed 45-miles and said they were grateful for the good weather.
Aiden said: "I feel proud of myself and the team for what they have achieved."
Jess said: "It was very cold and windy but luckily there was no rain which was predicted."
They said a "shower at home" and the free pasty at the end was pushing them through to the end.
At the finish line were parents Nadia, Pete and four-year-old Amber, who was waiting for her brother Nathan and his team from Perthyans A team based at Callington Community College.
Nadia said her son took part in the 35-mile route last year but due to a couple dropping out, the team had to be withdrawn.
"To go back and do it again is amazing, we're so proud."
Asked what Amber thought her brother was doing on the moors, she said he was "doing ten mountains".
Pete said Dartmoor had its own climate and, this year, it was not too hot nor wet making it the perfect conditions for teams.
It was also the first time the Dartmoor Granite challengers, who complete a shorter route, crossed the same finish line.
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.
On Sunday morning, back at the hanger where people could track the teams, parents Paul and Jana said they felt "really proud" of Eden from the Sidmouth College B-team.
"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.
Andrew and Victoria were waiting for their daughter Aurora, 14, who was completing the 45-mile challenge with East Devon Explorers Scouts.
Their other children, Saffron and Finn, said they felt inspired by Aurora to do the challenge because it was a "big achievement", adding they both wanted to take it on in the future.
Saffron said: "I like being outdoors and I like to challenge myself.
"It's nice to inspire other people to get outdoors and not just be on screens because the outdoor world is really nice."
Victoria added: "It's all about endurance and it was such a wet January, they were soaked all through that month,
"It's been a tough year so I'm really proud of her for sticking with it."
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.
Pickering described the atmosphere at the finish line as like a "carnival" but controlled.
"They're absolutely shattered now, they'll come through, get their medals, get their free pasty, get in the car, get home and probably sleep for a week," he said.
"They'll take this, reflect and maybe these are the new leaders. But it's a positive experience for all these people who do it."
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