Nearly 2,000 pupils finish Shropshire Primary Schools Half Marathon in style

Hundreds of proud parents, carers, friends and teachers cheered on the runners at West Mid Showground on Saturday.

Having already clocked up the 12 miles before the big day, pupils from 32 different schools came together to run the final 1.1 miles alongside their peers and complete the cumulative half marathon challenge.

The children were treated to a full race experience, with a marshalled route around the showground, race bibs, music, a commentator and a finish gantry.

Schools Half Marathon director Rebecca Richardson said: “The kids all had a great time. We’ve already had really good feedback from parents. One man said his son went out on a run with him that afternoon and gave him a run for his money. Another lady said it helped her daughter with her confidence and she’s now got the running bug.”

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The event was first trialled in 2017 with just two schools and 75 pupils. Last year saw 900 children from 21 schools take part.

It has now doubled in size in Shrewsbury and has become so popular it is set to go national later this year with events in Brighton and Hove, Stockport and West Sussex, as well as Telford & Wrekin.

Mrs Richardson added: “Schools Half Marathon is committed to encouraging healthy habits for the future, and the positive response that we have received from schools shows that the initiative really is making a difference.

“We would like to congratulate all the children for their incredible achievement this weekend and our thanks go to all the teachers, parents, guardians, volunteers and partners who have contributed to the success of the event.”

“Schools Half Marathon is getting so big now and we keep expanding.

“This year we’re looking at 5,000 children taking part and next year hope to have about 12,000.

“By 2021 we will have a secondary school half marathon and are already looking at different distances including a 10k and a marathon.”