Early on Thursday morning, 9^th May, at 0300 to be precise, staff left King’s and headed for Dartmoor to set up base camp for the 2019 Ten Tors Challenge.

On Friday morning, two 35 Mile Ten Tors teams headed down to Okehampton Camp to take part in this year’s challenge. After months of training in some of the worst conditions in modern memory they were physically prepared for the adventure ahead. On Friday evening, both teams planned their routes and soaked up the festival atmosphere. The camp was full of participants, staff and helpers, all excited about the challenge ahead.

On the Saturday morning, everyone was woken up at 0500 to loud speakers playing 'Chariot’s of Fire', another stirring rendition that always raises the hairs on the back of your neck. Our pupils ate a nervous breakfast and then at 0615 we headed to the start line with the other 2400 participants.

As the helicopters flew overhead and the parachute regiment fell from the sky the starter guns blasted off and the challenge began.

Both teams were doing well in the morning and were keeping pace with the pack, when suddenly Team B dropped off the radar. As staff, we had no idea of what had happened to them, and it was three hours later that they turned up. They had taken the wrong route and had to double back. Thankfully they managed to make up the time and both teams bedded down for the night at the chosen tors.

After an early start the teams clocked into their first tor at 0600 and they were on their way. They both made excellent progress and we were able to monitor them via their trackers. Parents and staff all met at the new finish line to congratulate Team A back in at 1130 and Team B at 1230. They were unsurprisingly, exhausted, especially as Team B has probably clocked in 42 mile instead of 35! 

It was another incredible achievement for all the pupils involved. They did remarkably well and should feel very proud of their efforts. Well done to all and a special thanks to the Headmaster and Mr and Mrs Bunday for making the trip down to show their support.

Seamus Harkness - Ten Tors Leader