Callington Community College Students Complete Ten Tors 2026

They trained through the worst Dartmoor could throw at them. Then the moor gave them something back.

Thirteen students from Callington Community College have completed the Ten Tors Challenge, the gruelling 35-mile hike across Dartmoor that draws hundreds of young walkers every year.

The group set off bright and early on Saturday 11th May, joining the crowds for the long trek across the moors. They had camped out on the Saturday night and both teams were back by lunchtime on the Sunday.

Months of training in the cold and wet

Getting to the start line took work. The students spent months training on the moors through the winter, completing practice hikes in blustery winds and heavy downpours.

For Team Leader Austin Mann, the training changed something.

“As I walked more and more as part of the training, I learnt how amazing it was to be outside walking. This has been a life changing experience,” he said.

The students split into two teams, Perthyans A and Perthyans B, to take on the route.

Crossing the finish line together

For several of the students, the finish was the part that stayed with them.

Warwick Rollason said: “I really enjoyed the start and the end – walking in with everyone made me feel part of something big and finishing together with the crowd cheering and clapping made the achievement even better. I am really glad I took part.”

Henry Collins-Crumplin described reaching the top and looking back. “The best part about reaching the top was turning around and seeing how far we had come. I have never felt more confidence or self-reward than when I walked over that last hill and saw the finish line – what an experience it was to have completed the challenge with the wonderful group of people that I did. Although it was a tough hike, it was full of laughs and fun and I have made many amazing memories. I will never forget the cheers when we hobbled and limped through the great crowds. What an experience it was and one I hope to do again!”

Sam McDonald put the achievement down to everything the team had been through together. “I am incredibly proud of my personal achievement and that of the team as a whole. I couldn’t have asked for a better walking team! I feel that having endured all those dark, cold and blustery days on the moors reinforced a mindset that I could achieve anything. Thankfully Dartmoor returned the favour with two lovely days and no rain,” he said.

A life changing journey

Helen Blackburn, Perthyans Ten Tors Team Manager, said the event asks a lot of everyone who takes it on.

“I am incredibly proud of all the participants who stood the test of time, through endurance and commitment having completed the Ten Tors Challenge 2026. Ten Tors is a tough and demanding event which requires months of training and preparation. Each of the participants showed true dedication to the training – resilience to all weather conditions and supporting each other along the way. The team spirit was unique and a strength of the teams this year. The journey as always brings out the best in each individual – a moment in time that will remain with them always and in its own way, is life changing.”