900 young runners complete Shropshire Primary Schools' Challenge

Clutching their medals with smiles on their faces, more than 900 children from primary schools across the county crossed the finishing line at this year's Shropshire Primary Schools' Challenge.

The finale of the Shropshire Primary Schools' Challenge at West Mid Showground

While overcast skies threatened rain, the bright orange T-shirts of the competitors meant they stood out from the gloom.

With hundreds of proud parents, siblings, grandparents and teachers cheering on, the children aged from four to 11 completed the final mile of their half marathon challenge.

The event was first piloted last year with two schools entering 75 children for the event.

But such was its popularity that event organisers UkRunChat, who also stage the Shrewsbury Half Marathon, decided to open it up for all.

One of those to cross the finishing line was Ollie Hamer, aged eight and from St Andrew's Primary School in Nesscliffe.

Looking a little tired he was delighted to have made it to the finishing line. With his proud mum Fiona at his side, the avid football player said that while he found it tough going, he was pleased to have finished and got his medal.

Each child had completed 12 miles at their schools over the past few months - usually running a mile a week.

The final 1.1 mile was run at the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury on Saturday morning.

To give the children the full race experience, the run started and finished in the race village which had been set up for Sunday's Shrewsbury Half Marathon.

Andy Davies, headteacher of Belvidere Primary in Shrewsbury, had brought along 22 pupils from years four, five and six.

His school was one of those involved last year and he said: "We do cross country every week. With the Government emphasising the importance of exercise this is quite sensational for the county."

Ava Homes, aged nine and from Prees Primary School near Whitchurch, is a keen gymnast and was inspired to take up running thanks to her mum.

"I was pretty quick and I really enjoyed the race. I ran with some of my friends," she said.

Every child was given a Shrewsbury Half Marathon medal for completing the challenge.

Joe Williams from UkRunChat said: "I am really, really pleased with how it has gone. The great thing is that some schools have said they are going to keep up the running.

"We started this in a bid to get children off their Xboxes and move about more and it has worked."