Scouts from Enfield complete extreme Challenge Event

The event has three levels with 30 km’s, 50 km’s, and 50-mile options. 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. There were four teams from Enfield taking part alongside 500 young people from across the UK.

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 teams from Enfield showed real determination to finish the 30 km 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 Alex, aged 16, said: ‘’Every Scout should take the opportunity to take part in the Southern 50. It wet and muddy but huge fun, I feel really proud to have taken on the challenge.”

Violetta, aged 14, said: ‘’The Southern 50 has been super, I think every Scout should have a go at it. You bond as a team with your friends and learn so much about yourself”

Ethan said: ‘’We’ve been working very well as a team, helping each other to navigate and pushing ourselves to finish the route."

Emilia, aged 15, said: ‘’I’m very proud of my team. We’ve put our navigation skills to good use and dealt well with the muddy conditions’’.