Students conquer Ten Tors

Plymouth College’s Outdoor Education Manager, Olly Rees, reports on the significant challenge that is Ten Tors…

Plymouth College had two 35 mile teams this year, both of whom have trained hard; arriving at school for 7 a.m. meets and clocking up an impressive mileage over the moors in often testing conditions with the ever present weight of their rucksacks slowing them down.

They were nervous but excited to be stood on the start line with over two thousand fellow participants, confident in their team mates and eager for the gun. The sight of two thousand young people lined up at 6.55 in the morning, with helicopters buzzing overhead, is a sight to behold. With typical military precision at 7 a.m. and the firing of two field guns they are off and quickly dispersed over the moor.

Conditions this year were sunny but windy. The boys’ team came over the finish line at an impressive 10.08 a.m. on the Sunday morning, knocking an hour off the school record and coming in two hours ahead of the next school on their route. The girls’ team were also among the first to complete their route and came in at an equally impressive 12.30 p.m. It should be celebrated that both teams finished with a full complement of six members as often the route takes its toll and members do drop out.

This was a fitting end to Sarah Dunn’s involvement with Ten Tors at Plymouth College. Over the years she has nurtured the Ten Tors staff and student teams to showcase the spirit of Plymouth College; giving students the opportunity to learn and build confidence in a happy and supportive environment so that they may achieve success.

Boys’ 35 mile team 2016:
Nicholas Dworznikowski, Max Symes, Peter Walker, Finlay Beaton, Ollie Riggs, Ewan Horner.

Girls’ 35 mile team 2016
Ava Courtman, Kate Fitton, Olivia Mears, Talia Sullivan, Emma Andrews, Morwenna Dunstan