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This years Dartmoor Firkin Challenge was organised by Jeremiahs journey a Plymouth based charity in conjunction with Stephen Earp at The Royal Oak Inn at Meavy.
The firkin challenge now in its six year, required each team of two runners to carry an empty 9 gallon Dartmoor brewery firkin around the 4 1/2 mile course. The firkin must be carried by one of the runners at all times. Each firkin weighs approximately 10kg. The event started and finished on the green outside the Royal Oak Inn at Meavy village near Yelverton. There was a checkpoint at the top of Sheeps Tor. Here each competitor was required to drink 1⁄2 pint of Dartmoor Ale before embarking on the return leg. The first Male, mixed team and Female teams over the finish line each received a presentation pack of Dartmoor Ale.
"We were a little bit concerned with the weather forecast, however we were blessed with a break in the showers for the duration of the run." Said Stephen Earp.
"We had a great turn out from competitors and spectators in support of Jeremiahs journey. There was a fantastic atmosphere at the finish, it's a very unique event. And we hope to be involved again next year" added Emma Winter a fund raiser volunteer with Jeremiah's Journey.
The course record, set by Jay Horton & Gary Andrews in 2015, is 37:00 mins. Which remains unbroken despite the gallant effort of this years competitors.
2017 results
1st Male team ~ Simon Francis & Ben Adelsbury ~ 42:08
2nd Male team ~ Gavin Court & Dan Smeardon ~ 42:46
3rd Male team ~ Tim Pollard-Jones & Chris Eastaugh ~ 44:38
1st female team ~ Sharon Geyde & Lucy Spowart ~ 59:14
1st Mixed team ~ Charlie Furnival & Alice Burbidge ~ 50:08
For full results please see the Royal oak website http://www.royaloakinn.org.uk/index.htm
Thank you to our Race sponsors: Dartmoor Brewery And the Royal Oak Inn.
A big thank you to all the competitors, and their friends and family who came along to support them.
Thank you to Gavin Court for setting the course and Kate Luffingham for registration and time keeping. And a big thank you to all the volunteers from 'Jeremiahs journey'. As well as continued support from 'Tavy signs'
We would also like to thank all the 'marshals and 4 x 4 response' for their help and time.
Not forgetting Brain and Esme Wills for the use of their field, for car parking.
All money raised goes to support Jeremiahs journey.
For more information on this fantastic charity please see their website http://jeremiahsjourney.org.uk/