The Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon is set to welcome a record number of children to the event on Saturday 6th April 2019 at Shropshire County Showground.
A total of over 1,800 children aged between 4-11 are expected to complete the final 1.1 miles of their Primary Schools Half Marathon on 6th April, after clocking up the initial 12 miles of their cumulative half marathon at school.
The turnout will be double what the event saw last year, when 900 children from 21 schools across Shropshire completed the first Schools Half Marathon as part of Shrewsbury Half Marathon weekend. The 2018 event had been officially launched after a trial involving two schools in 2017 with 75 children, and it proved to be such a success that there was a waiting list for the 2019 event long before it launched.
This year, the Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon will see children from 32 schools take part in this inspiring initiative, with participating schools including: Oakmeadow, St Mary’s Shawbury, Whixhall, St John the Baptist, Ellesmere Primary School, Longlands Community Primary School, Long Mountain Primary School, Grange Primary School, Severndale Academy, Prees, St Lucias, Meole Brace Primary, Mount Pleasant Primary School, Mereside Primary School, St George’s, St. Giles, Woodfield, Coleham Primary School, Baschurch CE (A) Primary School, Greenacres Primary School, Harlescott Junior School, Belvidere Primary, Hadnall C of E Primary School, Weston Lullingfields CE Primary School, Kinnerley C.E. Primary, Sundorne Infants, Lower Heath, Bomere Heath CE Primary School, West Felton C E Primary School, The White House School, Myddle CE Primary School and Tenbury C of E Primary Academy.
Coleham Primary School have loved the journey so far, taking part in the Schools Half Marathon and have installed a running track on both KS1 and KS2 playgrounds where mileage can be accrued.
Katie Young PE Coordinator at Coleham Primary said “We have used our Sports Premium to fund the tracks. By entering the half marathon and installing the running tracks we have seen a real increase in children wanting to run even amongst the staff. It has been a very inspiring and positive experience for all”.
Schools Half Marathon aims to encourage primary school pupils to get active and work towards an exciting half marathon goal, whilst being rewarded for their achievements along the way with a range of incentives. It is a fantastic chance for the youngsters to complete their very own cumulative half marathon in a supportive, non-competitive environment. With a half marathon representing 13.1 miles, the young runners complete the first 12 miles at school over the course of a term or half term, before running the final 1.1 miles on a set day in front of family and friends.
Event day itself will provide the full race experience for the children, including race bibs, a marshalled 1.1-mile route, music, commentator and a start and finish line gantry. Shropshire County Showground is a first-class venue for such an event, with ample room for parking and excellent on-site facilities. Teachers, parents and pupils can look forward to a superb atmosphere as the children are cheered over the finish line and celebrate their achievements.
The Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon is the first of a number of challenges taking part across the UK this year. Such was the success of the inaugural event last year that Schools Half Marathon has become a nationwide initiative, with other 2019 events confirmed for Telford and Wrekin (15th June), Brighton and Hove (22nd June), Stockport (1st July) and West Sussex (14th July).
Schools Half Marathon Director Joe Williams commented, “We have received an overwhelming response to the 2019 Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon and can’t wait to welcome record numbers of children to the event on 6th April. It is wonderful to see so many youngsters completing their miles at school and sharing the joy of their achievements with their friends, families and teachers. As a father of three, I am a big believer in getting kids outside and away from screens, encouraging healthy habits for the future and Schools Half Marathon offers the perfect means to do this.”
Schools Half Marathon Director Rebecca Richardson added, “We are immensely proud to be delivering the second Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon and to have added additional events for 2019. We encourage teachers, schools, parents, families, guardians, governors, business owners and the sports industry to support Schools Half Marathon and help children across the UK complete their very own half marathon. Schools Half Marathon is potentially life-changing as it encourages a positive attitude towards sport from an early age, breaking down barriers and has the power to make a real difference to our future generations through the power of community and sport.”
The Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon takes place at Shropshire County Showground on Saturday 6th April at 9am. Friends, family and supporters are welcome to cheer on the young runners.
Any school wishing to take part in the Schools Half Marathon can find out more and fill in an Entry Form on the event website: www.schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk/event-directory, or get in touch by emailing info@schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk.
The cost to each school is £12 per child, which represents effective spending of their PE and Sports Premium.
Go to www.schoolshalfmarathon.co.uk for further details, like UK Run Events on Facebook and follow @ukrunevents on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest news #SchoolsHalfMarathon.
