On Saturday 10th September, 130 runners and walkers took on the challenge of a 50 km (30 mile) journey right across Dartmoor. After a night of heavy rain, Dartmoor was pretty waterlogged, but this did nothing to dampen the spirits of those taking part.
Okehampton railway station proved to be an excellent choice of start location with a well stocked cafe right on the edge of the moor. The route from here followed the East Okement valley, past Oke tor and on to Hangingstone Hill, the highest point on the Dartmoor crossing. Onward to Sittaford tor, before following the East Dart to a welcome break at Postbridge.
Another climb through the stunning Bellever forest and over the tor, the journey continued into the West Dart valley. After a short diversion to avoid the (flooded) stepping stones on the West Dart, another steep climb lead up to Combestone tor and another fuel stop. The route then crossed some tough terrain over Ryder’s Hill and Huntingdon Warren before dropping down to the clapper bridge over the river Avon.
The final part of the route joined the Two Moors Way at Red Lake and a delightful downhill track all the way to Ivybridge, where our participants were rewarded with hot drinks and some of Devon’s finest pasties!
Supporting them along the way were our team of guides and the East Devon Ultra Runners. One of them (Pete Fletcher) made this film while completing his 50 km run.
We were really pleased with this, our first Dartmoor in a Day event and we have had some really helpful feedback. This will help us to put on an even better event next year. Planned date is 9th September 2017.
Our next event is the Jurassic 100. A 100 km run or walk, through 185 million years of history, along the Jurassic Coast.
Here are few photos from Dartmoor in a Day by Wendy from Malcolm Snelgrove Photography.
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