The bishops of Exeter and Plymouth joined more than 2400 young people for the start of the Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor on 10 May.

Bishop Mike and Bishop James watched the start of the annual two-day event at Okehampton Army Camp, before walking part of the Jubilee Challenge route, which is aimed at young people with additonal needs.

The Ten Tors Challenge is in its 63rd year. It was originally devised in the late 1950s as outdoor adventure training for army cadets. Now young people aged between 14 and 18 take part from schools and other organisations across the South West.

Teams of six have to walk 35, 45 or 55 miles over two days via 10 checkpoints, which cover ten Dartmoor tors. They must navigate using only a map and a compass and carry their tents and other provisions.

This year the Ten Tors started at 7am. The Ten Tors prayer and a blessing were said by the Archdeacon to the Armed Forces.

The crowd was then given a sepcatcular aerial display by the Red Devils army parachute disaply team. It included the unfurling of a giant Union Jack flag as the parachutists descended to earth.

Addressing the teams massed at the start line at Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor, the Army Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, said “This is a chance to test yourselves in a world that does not bend to convenience.”

Upto 400 teams take part in the Ten Tors each year. This year, Church of England schools taking part include Ilfracombe Acadeny and St Peter’s school in Exeter.

Bishop Mike said watching the young people surging down the hillside at the start of the challenge had been like a scene from a film: “To see the scale of this event with 2400 young people setting off, it’s fabulous – with wonderful weather. It’s a great opportunity to show resilience and determination together as teams.”

The Ten Tors would not be possible wihout the teachers, scout and guide leaders and other volunteers who help teams train in all weathers throughout the year and orgnanise all the logistics.

Bishop James thanked everyone who had helped:  “Thank you and well done, it’s phenomenal,” he said.

This year, for the first time, there is an Army Chaplaincy space for participants and helpers at Okehampton Camp, which is where the Ten Tors walkers start and finish from.

Padre Gary Birch, the chaplaincy support co-ordinator, said “I’ve seen how rewarding the Ten Tors is, but also how physically and emotionally draining it can be for all involved.

“That’s why I wanted to provide a space where both enablers and competitiors could come and find a friendly facem a hot brew, a listening ear and a space to just chill out in the mayhem.”

The first participants are expected to finish the challenge around lunchtime on Sunday 11 May.