Clydebank Kids Take On Haile

4 OCT2011

Youngsters at St Peter the Apostle's school in Clydebank are set to take on a world marathon challenge. 31 pupils will tomorrow (Wednesday, October 5) attempt to smash Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebreselassie's world record marathon time of two hours, three minutes and 59 seconds.

The children aged 11 to 13 will each run a 200 metre stretch six or seven times each, passing a baton to their team mates. Each time will cover a total of 26.2 miles - a full Olympic marathon to help raise funds for the charity, Save The Children.

Organisers of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival weekend which next May 26 and 27 celebrates its 10th birthday are sponsoring the youngsters as well as donating foil blankets, medals, Strathmore bottled water and even finish tape to help give the event a big race feel.

Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Director said: "I think it's a great idea that will encourage kids to get active and run about. It will be fantastic fun and we're delighted to support them. Hopefully the children may even inspire their parents to get training for the Edinburgh Marathon.

"The Edinburgh Marathon Festival has it all - a great city that acts as a stunning backdrop to the event proceedings and a programme of races that means that everyone is catered for from kids to veterans. We're looking forward to a great 10th birthday next May and welcoming back the thousands of runners who've supported us over the years plus the thousands who will be joining us for the first time."