THE weather was kind on Dartmoor this weekend as more than 2,400 teenagers from across the South West trekked across Dartmoor in last weekend's Ten Tors and Jubilee challenges.

In the event's 52nd year, around 400 teams of six, who trekked across 35, 45 or 55 miles of open moorland started their expedition at Okehampton Camp on Saturday morning, in bright sunshine that lasted throughout the weekend.

A bugler from Exeter-based TA unit 6 RIFLES and two 105mm light guns from Plymouth-based 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery got the challenge underway at 7am on Saturday morning, with the teams sprinting from the start line to start their arduous treks.

The youngsters taking part in the challenge have to remain entirely self-sufficient throughout their challenge, relying solely on a compass and their navigational skills to guide them. Each team camped on the moor overnight, and they carry all the food, water, bedding, tents and other essentials necessary to complete the challenge. They are also issued with a satellite tracker with a panic button in case their team gets into difficulty.

Around 30 minutes after the Ten Tors teams set off, 236 youngsters with special physical or educational needs started the Jubilee Challenge. The challenge takes teams and individuals on routes up to 15 miles long across the moors, accompanied by an officer cadet from Exeter University Training Corps.

Brigadier Piers Hankinson, director of Ten Tors and commander of 43 Wessex Brigade said: 'It's difficult to put the sense of achievement and pride into words here at the finish.

'The way that these events bring on young people is fantastic, both individually and as teams and I'd like to congratulate everyone who has taken part in both the Ten Tors and the Jubilee Challenge across this spectacular national park.

'We're proud in the Army to lay this on. It's a way for us to pay back the debt we owe to society which supports us so well here in the South West.'

Almost 1,000 personnel were on duty during the weekend to oversee the event.

Brigadier Hankinson said: 'Ten Tors could not be run by the Army on its own. It is a tri-service event run with the Army, Navy and RAF. I must also thank the National Park Authority and the Commoners and the land owners who allow us to use this wonderful wilderness.

'I also couldn't run it without the British Red Cross and other rescue services, particularly the Dartmoor Rescue Group. The police have been instrumental in helping us run this and also the local council.

'It's a big group effort and I'd like to thank everyone involved and on duty for their efforts to make Ten Tors 2012 the great success that it was.'

Of the 2,400 youngsters that started the challenge, 251 had to drop out, mostly due to the usual sprains and strains seen each year at the event. At roughly ten per cent of the total participants, the number is similar to most years, but higher than last year's drop out rate of 156.

Mike Deacon, Ten Tors assistant manager with Okehampton College was pleased with the college's two teams. He said: 'The teams did very well this year, with the thirthy-five mile team getting back at around 11am on the Sunday morning, and our forty-five mile team got back shortly after 1 o'clock.

'The 45 mile team had some sickness to contend with, but they got all the way round which showed a lot of determination. Both teams were a bit red and sunburnt at the end of it, but it went well.

'It was a great event all round, and both of our teams should be very proud of themselves.'