A marathon effort by pupils

Pupils have responded overwhelmingly to sporting challenges set for them at the start of this period of online learning.

At the start of term Director of Sport Mr David Burton set a number of challenges as part of the online Games programme but also as a means of keeping fit, trying something new, stepping out of one’s comfort zone and raising money for charity in the process. The response was impressive with a large number of pupils taking on the various challenges which included running the distance of a marathon in January, either for Cancer Research or just for fun; a 112-mile bike ride, which is the distance of the cycling section of a full Ironman triathlon; and a challenge to complete 2,000 burpees in two weeks. One student even completed all three challenges.

Mr Burton said: “It has been great to receive the positive feedback and to hear the stories of whole families doing the challenges together. I have been told the challenges have been the catalyst and incentive some needed to re-start some exercise and gain a sense of purpose to getting out for that run or cycle.”

Nine pupils took on running a marathon in January for Cancer Research and between them they have raised £2,877.45. Huge congratulations to those individuals.

What next?

Mr Burton has now suggested some more challenges for February and beyond:

• The Cancer Research fundraising effort continues and the challenge is now ‘Marathon in a Month’. For more details click here.
• For those who enjoyed doing things as a family, why not commit to a family Park Run every Saturday with a target distance of 5km (of course you can do more).
• There is also a virtual challenge website called The Conqueror that takes you through challenges such as walking/running the distance from Land's End to John O’Groats. For more details click here.