AROUND 2,400 youngsters from across the region will descend on Dartmoor this weekend to take part in this year's Ten Tors and Jubilee challenges. The annual Army run event, now in its 54th year, is one of the biggest and toughest adventure challenges for young people in Britain. The challenge starts bright and early on Saturday from Okehampton camp, where teams of six, ranging in age from 14 to 19, will make the start of their respective journeys. As well as the 2,400 youngsters partaking in the Ten Tors Challenge, a further 300 youngsters with physical or educational needs taking part in the Jubilee Challenge. The majority of the teams who enter Ten Tors are from schools and youth groups from Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. As usual, scores of scout groups, sports and ramblers teams and Armed Forces cadet units have accepted the challenge and are taking part. Those teenagers taking on the Ten Tors Challenge will trek unaided over 35, 45 or 55 miles of some of the toughest terrain and highest peaks in Southern England relying on their navigational skills and carrying all their food, water, bedding, tents and other essentials as they go. It is a feat they must complete as a team and, without any help from adults and teams, remain entirely self-sufficient during their arduous expeditions, including camping out overnight on the moor. This year, the challenge will be even harder. For the first time in more than 30 years the challenge has new routes aimed at improving resilience and enhancing safety of the event. Brigadier Piers Hankinson MBE, director of Ten Tors, is the Commander of 43 (Wessex) Brigade. He said: 'The Policy Committee and I have implemented changes to reduce the need for participants to cross certain water obstacles and to walk along busy public roads. 'We have also reduced the dependency of the event on helicopters, for obvious weather implications, and so the location of safety control points have moved closer to road heads rather than on top of the Tors, while check points remain on the Tors. 'I believe these changes will not compromise the original aims of the event: to develop teamwork and practice navigation. 'If anything the challenge will be more demanding, with the experience and appreciation of a high moor-land location and the associated weather conditions of a challenging environment.' The Ten Tors organisers work closely with the Dartmoor National Park Authority, landowners and commoners to minimise the environmental impact of the event and the associated training, to maximise the local economic benefits of Ten Tors, and to help those taking part to appreciate and understand Dartmoor's special qualities. Kevin Bishop, chief executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: 'Dartmoor is a special place and Ten Tors is a special event.  'We wish those participating all the best and sincerely hope that the thousands who have been involved in training and the actual event will have developed a passion for the National Park and help us to sustain its special qualities for future generations to enjoy.'