SPORTY pupils at a Golcar school completed a marathon task – by running 26 miles.
And they did so as the Government confirmed funding of £10m to further boost school sport.
As part of National School Sports Week, staff at Beech Junior and Infant School took part in a variety of sporting activities.
And every year group in the school took part in a relay marathon – running a section of the 26.2miles.
Collectively, they managed the feat by running round a marked 570m course.
Year six pupil Shannon O’Conner set the fastest time for a girl. Year four pupil Mason Morgan set the fastest time for a boy.
Sarah Peacock, school PE co-ordinator, who also completed the course, said: “Pupils could either run in pairs or as individuals, handing the baton on to the next runners until they had completed 73 legs, which equated to the marathon distance of 26 miles.
“The reception classes started at 9am. Every child in the school took part – they loved it. Year Six finished at 2.30pm.”
Among other activities as part of National School Sports Week, pupils took part in martial arts classes: learning the history, principals and basics of karate.
Para-Olympian Josie Cichockyj, a British wheelchair athlete who has completed several marathons herself, visited every class to talk about overcoming adversity and what sport has given to her life and huge success.
Maggie Birkenshaw, former vice captain of the England netball team, took part in a question and answer session with the school’s netball team. She also put them through their paces on the court and gave tips and advice to the budding netballers.
The week culminated in a Sports Day involving the whole school.
National School Sports Week was introduced to bring the magic and anticipation of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to classrooms, sports halls and playing fields to inspire young people to do more sport.
The activities come as the government announced up to £10 million of Lottery funding, to be distributed by Sport England, to create new sports leagues for schools.
Schools will also be urged to host in-house Olympic-style sports days so that children of all abilities have the chance to compete in a variety of events – something already taking place at Beech School.
Sarah added: “It’s something I welcome without a doubt. Over the past 12 months we’ve been pushing sport and since April we’ve run seven after-school classes every week covering everything from football and rugby to archery and orienteering.
“It’s important to do different things because football isn’t for everyone.
“And what’s been amazing is that every child will have taken part in one after-school club by the end of the year.
“We’ve also had some fantastic success with our sports teams too, so it’s been a good year.”
