Teams taking part in the Ten Tors Challenge are approaching the finish line on the final day of the “phenomenal” event.

Thousands of teenagers from across the south west of England and beyond have been walking either 35, 45, or 55 miles (56, 72 or 88km) across Dartmoor.

The annual challenge, organised by the British Army’s Headquarters South West, was kicked off on Saturday by Gen Sir Roland Walker, and participants have until 17:00 BST to cross the finish line.

Sgt Tosh Hodgkins, from the HQ South West cadet training team, said the challenge was “the most emotional” thing he had ever been involved in.

Sgt Hodgkins said: “The guys that volunteer to come and help keep this event safe, it’s genuinely like an enormous family.

“The positivity up here is phenomenal, and everybody leaves with a complete buzz and a smile on their face.”

Sgt Hodgkins said the young people taking part in the challenge “inspire” him.

The challenge, organised by the British Army’s Headquarters South West, involves teams navigating routes across the northern half of Dartmoor in under two days.

Participants must follow their allocated route, which specifies the staffed locations to visit and the order to visit them, but teams are responsible for navigating their own paths between those points.

The first teams to cross the finish line, together, were the Torquay Boys Grammar School and the Dartmoor National Trust, who both completed 35-mile (56km) routes.

Charlie Snell, from the Dartmoor National Trust team, said his team carried his bag for him for the last stretch of the trek because he had blisters on his feet.

“They were the only reason I made it, I’m very grateful to everyone,” he said.

Ollie Brown, from Torquay Boys Grammar School, said he was “shattered” after completing the walk, but said “every single bit was worth it”.