OKEHAMPTON Rotary Club held the sixth edition of the Dartmoor Autumn Challenge OK on Saturday, September 15.

The hike across the moor invited teams of three to eight walkers to take a trek across moorland from Belstone, tackling a 12 or 19 mile course, with the added test of navigation and team skills. The longer walk, dubbed the Extreme Route, was timed to finish late in the evening, meaning the latter stages were completed in darkness.

The walk, which has checkpoints and full safety support, raises money for the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team and similar Rotary supported charities and organisations.

West Devon mayor and Okehampton Rotary president Mike Davies said: ‘A great day was had by all. I would like to thank all of those involved with the organisation of the event and especially to the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team for their involvement during the day. The event has been held for many years now and we hope that it will continue to do so.

‘I’m pleased that West Devon Borough Council entered a team and even more pleased that we finished. I’m hoping that we will enter a team again next year.’

Rotarian Barry Thompson, who organises the event, said: ‘The event was a success — we would have liked a few more teams but those who did take part thoroughly enjoyed it, largely thanks to the kind weather. For once we seemed to pick the right day!

‘We don’t know what the event has raised yet but with a similar number of teams and walkers to last year, we are hoping we may raise something in the order of £2,000 like last year.’

Okehampton Rotary Club expressed thanks to the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team for their support during the event, the Rotarians who were out on the moor and running the base station at Belstone Village Hall.