A PENSIONER from Gunnislake has fulfilled her 30 year old ambition of completing the Ten Tors Challenge. Ann Woodhouse has always been envious of the youngsters who took part in the challenge, and at the age of 61 she decided to attempt it with her partner Steve John of Abbey Garden Machinery. They took off for the 35-mile challenge during the summer bank holiday and completed the route in two days. Ann said: ?I was always so jealous of the youngsters when they did Ten Tors. ?I am so delighted to have done it ? it is something I have always wanted to do, and now I know how the youngsters feel!? Although experienced Dartmoor walkers the couple found the saturated ground, affected by this summer?s heavy rainfall, made it necessary to take some large diversions. ?We did it really slowly and we enjoyed it,? said Ann. ?As we are runners, we found it was harder than the London Marathon. The legs were fine but because there was only two of us we had to carry all the equipment. ?When I tell people I completed the 35-mile route they are so envious. ?If only they had an old people?s Ten Tors ? I am sure it would be so well subscribed to. ?Next year we are aiming for the 45-mile route and we intend to get in lots of practice before then.? l Pictured right are Anne Woodhouse and Steve John, celebrating success at the tenth tor!
