THE sun shone on the adventurous young people who tackled the annual Ten Tors Challenge across the tough Dartmoor terrain last weekend.

Fine weather greeted the 400 teams of six as they set off from Okehampton Army Camp at 7am on Saturday morning to tackle the gruelling 35, 45 or 55-mile treks across the rugged moorland landscape.

The major difficulty faced by the 2,400 youngsters taking part in this, the 44th Ten Tors Challenge, was coping with the heat. Every team had to keep on drinking plenty of water over the weekend and pace themselves to reach the finish.

The event is organised each year by the Army?s 43 (Wessex) Brigade. Organiser Major Mike Pether said it had been a ?perfect weekend? with the teams showing terrific resilience, however some youngsters had to abandon the event, some suffering the effects of heat exhaustion.

Okehampton College entered two teams, and each finished with a full complement of walkers to earn their team certificate as well as medals. The elated 35-mile team crossed the finish line shortly after midday, while the 45-mile team came in around two-and-a-half hours later.

Lucy Sizmur, leader of the 35-mile team said she had really enjoyed the challenge. ?It was such a great experience,? she said. And she said the atmosphere and camaraderie between all the teams as they prepared to set off on Saturday morning had been fantastic.

Lucy said the heat was a factor throughout the weekend. ?We had to keep on taking on more water to keep cool. There wasn?t much of a breeze, but it was much nicer when we were in it,? she said.

She said the team had been amazed at the huge cheer they received from the crowd at the finish line.

Tom Powell, team leader of the 45-mile group said he had enjoyed completing his first Ten Tors Challenge.

?We were doing really well, then we had a little slump, because we were all tired, but we managed to pick it up again. The visibility was good, which gave you a boost to see where you had to get to,? he said.

Tom said he hoped to return and compete at the longer distance next year. ?I would like to do the 55 miles next year. I want to get the gold medal,? he said.

Complete teams finished from Tavistock and Okehampton ATC Squadrons, and Kelly College and Tavistock College had both their teams reach the finish line with all six walkers. Other local teams taking part including Tavistock and District Youth Forum, Shebbear College and West Devon Explorer Scouts.

Following the start of the main challenge, it was time for those taking part in the Jubilee Challenge event for less able-bodied youngsters to test their determination and resolve. Around 150 youngsters with physical or learning disabilities ? many in wheelchairs ? set out either as individuals or teams, on their own routes of up to 15 miles.

All the young people, aged between 14 and 20, taking part in the Ten Tors Challenge had trained hard for three months in preparation for hiking across the unique environment of Dartmoor. Teams must check in at each of ten nominated tors on route and make a compulsory overnight stop.

Shortly after 8am on Sunday the first teams began returning to the camp, though the Army stress the event is not a race, more a test of endurance and teamwork.

Chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority Bill Cann was among those attending to watch the young people set off.

?It is one of the finest days we have had for Ten Tors and there are a great deal of people here watching. It is good to see a lot of people coming up to support the event. Ten Tors is very good for the local community and economy.?

He said Ten Tors was a good way for young people to develop self-esteem and a chance to explore what Dartmoor had to offer at a young age.

Cllr Cann also paid tribute to the ?amazing effort? put in by everyone taking part in the Jubilee Challenge.