Hundreds of Scouts and Guides from across the county turned out for the 50th Cheshire Hike.
More than three quarters of million miles have been walked across the countryside over the years by competitors in the Cheshire Hike.
This year marked the 50th staging of the event which tests the core outdoor skills of Scouts and Guides.
Hundreds of teams compete in pairs across four age groups, knowing nothing of the routes or terrain that awaits them until they are given their map co-ordinates at their respective starts on the first morning.
They then plot a course, first to one of the Saturday evening base camps where they pitch their tent and cook an evening meal, and then on the second morning to the eventual finish which, this year, was at Winsford Academy.
Assistant county commissioner (Scouts) Sophie Mather said: “It’s so good to see the skills that are taught each week being put into practice. Being outdoors is at the heart of what we do in Scouting. Completing the Cheshire Hike is a superb achievement and everyone who does so is entitled to feel exceptionally proud.”
Chester District was well represented in the event and the district winners were juniors Sam Chaloner and Tom Hamer from 1st Malpas, intermediate, Samuel Ashbrook and Nicholas Platt from 1st Farndon, senior, Felix Gideonse and Morgan Whitley from the Renegade Explorer Unit, and senior plus, Nathan Wilde and Oliver Astin, also of 1st Farndon.
In its 50-year history the event has only had three lead organisers and at the finish of this year’s hike, the present incumbent, Trevor Burgess, thanked the small army of volunteers who had helped ensure its smooth and safe running.
