This year’s event celebrates 45 years since the first Southern 50, with Scouts taking on routes passing through the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.
The annual Southern 50 Event is a prestigious challenge hike, one of the longest running events of its type in the UK. The event is a test of good orienteering skills as well as teamwork. The route is not disclosed until the day of the event so all teams entering have the same chance of winning a trophy.
Chief Scout Dwayne Fields praised the team’s unwavering determination and teamwork, as they tackled the impressive distance.
He said: “The team from Berkhamsted showed real determination to finish the 30KM & 50KM course, I was delighted to meet them at the finish to hear about the skills they had learnt and challenges they had overcome. All the young people and volunteers involved in the event are a great example of what’s brilliant about Scouts. They worked as a team, had fun and learnt new skills along the way.”
Taking part in the event Teagen Lerpiniere aged 16 who completed the 30KM Hike said: “It’s important to be prepared for a challenge like this so you know you have the right skills. Though jelly babies can always help to keep you going.”
Dylan Bernardini aged 15 who hiked the 50KM challenge said: “The Southern 50 hike was a hard work, but we used lots of the skills we learnt as scouts and pushed through. It was worth it”.
