Children across the Highlands have run over 24,000km as part of a challenge by High Life Highland (HLH).
The HLH Virtual Running Series ran throughout March and encouraged primary school aged children to get outside and take part, whether around their local area, at school or on a running track.
In total, 58 schools took part completing 20,247 runs between them.
HLH South Area Sports Development Manager Andrea Mackenzie said: “We had 2,663 children take part this year and they were able to run along local courses or to pick their own favourite place to run.
“Bridgend Primary School in Tain recorded the most runs stacking up an impressive 3,378 attempts with South Lodge, Knockbreck, Strathpeffer and Beauly primary schools in close pursuit.
“We were also hugely impressed with the number of schools who took the challenge on as a whole school, with 24 having 100% of their school roll taking part.
“We’re delighted that so many young people have got outside and active and, as well as the school effort, there was some fantastic individual achievements with some pupils out running each day trying to improve their times.”
Courses of 600m, 1,200m and 1,800m were set up across the Highlands by HLH’s Active Schools Team. Schools and parents were also encouraged to create their own routes which allowed everyone to take part in the event whilst staying local.
One of those taking part was Caol Primary School in Fort William. Teacher Kerry Lamont said: “The children really enjoyed getting out running each day. We have seen an improvement in the distance the children run over the four weeks, and in their focus in the afternoons, after completing this challenge each day. We hope to continue next term.”
The top five schools for the most runs completed were:
- Bridgend Primary School: 3,378
- South Lodge Primary School: 2,729
- Knockbreck Primary School: 1,811
- Strathpeffer Primary School: 1,742
- Beauly Primary School: 1,448
For the full results and for more information, visit www.highlifehighland.com/sport/high-life-highland-virtual-running-event/
