| The 2003 Ten Tors Challenge | |
|  | | This Sidmouth team were among the 2002 winners |
| | Almost 2,500 young people are taking part in the 2003 Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor.
It's a gruelling trek across difficult terrain - and it takes two days to complete.
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| | | There was a huge sigh of relief from thousands of young people, when the Army announced that the 2003 Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor would be taking place as usual - despite the force's commitment in the Gulf.
Having had the 2001 event cancelled because of foot-and-mouth, it would have been a big disappointment if this year's challenge had suffered the same fate, too.
The Army organises the challenge - with the help of other agencies - so it was great news when they said Ten Tors Challenge 2003 was to go ahead on 10-11 May.
So, at the crack of dawn on Saturday 10th May, some 2,400 young people (400 teams of six) set off from Okehampton Camp at the start of their gruelling trek across the moor.
 | | The sun came out for the 2002 event |
The challenge takes in 10 tors (obviously!), but with various routes between 35 and 55 miles - depending on age.
There is also the Jubilee event, over much shorter distances, for young people with special needs.
All the youngsters must train well for the challenge.
For a start, the terrain is arduous in the extreme - there are hardly any flat bits, and there are bogs to negotiate as well.
And then there's the unpredictable Dartmoor weather...
 | | Injuries are an occupational hazard... |
Add to that the fact the walkers must carry all their clothing, tents, and sleeping bags with them for the Saturday night out under the stars, and it all makes for a gruelling 48 hours.
The first Ten Tors Challenge was held in 1959, when 203 boys and girls took part...who would have thought then that it would become one of the biggest events in the Devon calendar.
This article was first published on 2nd May 2003
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