Video coverage: Record year as Trailtrekker bucks the trend

A total of 225 teams took part in this year’s walk, compared to 170 in 2011, while up to a staggering £450,000 is expected to be raised, soaring above last year’s total of £380,000.

Results in full

Anna Chambers, challenge events manager at Oxfam, says Trailtrekker is bucking the national trend with people still clamouring to take part despite the worsening economic crisis gripping the country.

The Oxfam-run event, which the Yorkshire Post has supported since it was launched in 2009, has grown year on year since it began.

Now organisers say it has firmly established itself as one of the biggest charity events in the region, with walkers young and old attracted to the Dales from all over the country, and this year, as far away as Belgium, Germany and Australia.

“It is a really major increase in terms of money raised and the event is really starting to become established and get a foothold now,” Ms Chambers said.

“The fact that we have seen a growth this year on last is really great. When you look around the general events market there are not many events that have managed that.

“Word of mouth is really starting to spread and the event is starting to get a bit of a reputation for the fantastic support that is provided to teams as they go around the course.

“Trailtrekker is going from strength to strength.”

Organisers believe people are also turning to the event as the long training required in order to complete the 62-mile course means it provides them with the perfect opportunity to go walking with friends and family and escape from increasingly busy working lives.

Yesterday’s walkers had spent weekends together walking through rain, snow and howling gales in order to train for the marathon event.

“For people taking part, a lot of it is about feeling that they want to do something really worthwhile,” Ms Chambers said.

“For a lot of people, if they work in offices, you feel a very small part of a very big picture.

“But with something like this you feel as if you are making a real difference.

“The level of personal achievement is something that is very tangible.

“It is also to do with the fact that we are very busy with our lives and this is a brilliant way for people to spend time with friends rather than just heading down to the pub.

“The walkers taking part in Trailtrekker realise what it means to be part of a team and support each other on.

“While they are walking the route they find things out about each other that they never knew before.”

Big charity events are increasingly seen as a major boost to the tourism industry in Yorkshire, which is worth £7bn annually and employs almost 250,000 workers.

Tourism is especially vital to the economic future of the Dales, with the industry worth £184.5m annually in Richmondshire alone, supporting more than 4,500 jobs in the peak season.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s easy to see why there are so many entrants in this year’s Trailtrekker challenge in aid of Oxfam.

“The iconic and breathtaking setting of the Dales is a great draw and taking part in events there will endure in people’s memories forever. It is great to put this wonderful area in the front of many people’s minds across the country and beyond.

“Congratulations to everyone who took part yesterday for this great cause.”A total of 225 teams took part in this year’s walk, compared to 170 in 2011, while up to a staggering £450,000 is expected to be raised, soaring above last year’s total of £380,000.