ONCE again, Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton trained up five teams of students who showed grit, determination and team work in completing the 35, 45 or 55 miles of the Ten Tors Challenge 2017.

On Saturday, May 6, the familiar sound of Chariots of Fire awoke the teams at 5am. At 7am the guns fired and the teams were on their way.

QE’s 55-milers were storming along and maintained an incredible pace throughout day one. As they stopped to camp, they were among the top three teams on their route.

QE’s two 45-mile teams also held a steady pace with incredibly strong walking on the hard ground underfoot. QE’s two 35-mile teams undertaking their first Ten Tors event had to overcome significant challenges with one team losing their navigator due to illness. Later in the day they lost a second member due to injury, leaving them with only four team members to continue.

Despite this setback, the remaining team members’ tireless character and strength meant they were soon back on track and they joined the other team to camp.

On Sunday morning, the 55-milers continued where they left off on Saturday and crossed the finish line at Anthony’s Stile at 11.30am, making them the fastest QE team ever, so a huge congratulations to them.

Next in at 12 noon was one of QE’s 45-mile teams. Yet again, a great performance by the students on a tough route.

At 1.11pm, against all odds, QE’s four remaining members of one of the 35-mile teams finished.

They deserve praise for finishing in a respectable time despite losing two teammates - they showed great team spirit keeping each other going.

Shortly after, at 2.34pm, QE’s second 35-mile team finished, all members intact. At 3.10pm the second 45-mile and final QE team finished.

Team Mentor, Keith Baker, said: “Once again QE students have met the challenge, we are very proud of each and every team member!

“We extend our thanks to the staffing volunteers who make it all possible and of course to the parents, as without their support the students would not have been able to gain an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

The challenge is over, blisters are healing and the aches and pains are subsiding. Was it worth it? Definitely! Well done to everyone involved!

The Teams: QE Academy Trust A 35: Maya Richards, Holly Manning, Jess Hannemann, Cameron Storey, Callum Yeandle and Sam Osborne.

B 35: Ben Ainsley, Abby Cann, Cydney Mackenzie, Andrew Millar, Toby Hatchell and Ryan Smith (Scout from Chulmleigh).

A 45: Grace Newport-Tucker, Becca Bonsor, Tom Mann, Curtis Pelcl-Garnsworthy, Matt Cooke and Matt Harris (Scout from Teignbridge).

B 45: Sophie Brockway, Taran Clark, Miryam Ley, Connor Ridd, Jake Poulton and Eddie Akers (Scout from Bristol).

A 55: Euan Dodd, Jack Reed, Rory Tucker, Sam Hatchell, David Gray and Matt Goodman.