MORE than 2,000 youngsters returned from the 42nd Ten Tors challenge on Sunday with tired feet but with a new spirit of adventure after the gruelling 35, 45 and 55-mile treks across one of the most demanding terrains in the country.

Good weather greeted the 400 teams from across the South West as they set off at 7am on Saturday morning carrying heavy back packs filled with camping equipment, food and supplies for every eventuality.

The event was cancelled last year because of foot and mouth disease.

The return of Ten Tors was welcomed by the hundreds of spectators who got up early to wave off the challengers and celebrate the 25th year of the Jubilee Challenge which is held for up to 300 children with physical and learning disabilities.

All the young people had trained hard for three months and preparation for the task included lessons and watching specially made videos teaching them about the unique environment of Dartmoor.

Secretary of Ten Tors Major Mike Pether said the whole event had gone off very smoothly and it was absolutely wonderful to see the stream of youngsters setting out on this unique event.

'Each year it is becoming more popular and adventure is a real growth area,' he said.

'We have a representative from the Brecon Beacons here to see if a similar event might be feasible in Wales.'

Chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority Bill Cann said it was great to see so many youngsters taking part.

'Ten Tors is a great spectacle for this part of Dartmoor and it gives the area national importance but most of all it shows that the moor is there for everyone to use —there is no exclusion,' he said.

'It is very important for young people to get a feel of the moor in their early life because they will have more respect for it in the future. It will draw them back here and the teamwork and discipline they learn is invaluable.'

Nineteen tors were manned by 'tor parties' — military teams from the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force who were reinforced by medics and signallers.

Their task was to check teams through and communicate their progress back to Okehampton Camp.

Safety is the top priority for the organisers of the Ten Tors Challenge and an elaborate and extensive organisation quickly swings into action if teams do get into trouble.

Assistant manager of the Okehampton Air Training Corps team Philip Mingham said Ten Tors had changed since he took part in it many years ago.

'We did not have any specialist equipment — it was just woolly hats and ponchos,' he said.

'Now the youngsters' packs weigh 30 pounds. It is something they will never forget because you are out there on your own and there are no signposts.'

Leader of the 55-mile Okehampton College team Nathan Hill said he felt 'euphoric' after having completed all three challenges over the last few years.

'Ten Tors is a unique experience and everyone that I know who has taken part is a much more confident person because of it.'

Fifteen-year-old David Cooper, who led the 35-mile team from the college said it was a hard challenge particularly when the rain fell on the first day and dampened people's spirits.

'On the second day when we saw the crowds waiting for us to come home, it really egged us on and we started running,' he said.

He said when the team stopped for the night they were joined by several other teams and there was a good atmosphere as they got the fires going and tucked into their pasta and Lancashire Hot Pot.

'At the moment my feet are very very sore but the experience of Ten Tors has spurred me on to do other things and I will definitely be back to take part in the greater distances.'

Teams from Tavistock and Kelly Colleges and Tavistock Youth Forum also completed the challenge.

West Devon MP John Burnett paid tribute to the army and other personnel who organised Ten Tors.

'After the disappointment of last year it is marvellous to see the event back again.

'It is a source of great optimism and the enthusiasm and commitment from all these youngsters is wonderful to see. I want to congratulate them all.'

David Johnson, who was assistant leader with the Tavistock and District Youth Forum team, said it was 'absolutely brilliant' and although one member suffered a twisted ankle they 'patched him up' and carried on.

'The worst bit was when the weather changed and the mood went very sad,' he said.

'The best bit was reaching the finishing line and you realise all the training has paid off.

'Ten Tors is a really good team event because not only do you help and support your own team members but any other teams who are lagging behind.'