Scots Kids Just Miss World Record

12 OCT2011

Pupils from St. Peter the Apostle's school in Clydebank last week narrowly missed out on breaking Patrick Makau's world record marathon time of 2:03:38. The World Marathon Challenge, which took place on Wednesday, October 5, invited children aged 11 to 13 to each run a 200-metre stretch as they covered the 26.2-mile distance. The S2 pupils completed the challenge in 2:10:40, securing 33rd position. The S1 pupils, meanwhile, finished in 42nd place with a time of 2:26:57.

Despite the challenging conditions that included a stray gazebo and nearly resulted in the cancellation of the event, the Kenyan team managed to shave almost 12 minutes off Makau's record with an impressive time of 1:51:52.

Maurice Donohue of WDC Athletics Development, commented: "The Scottish weather was definitely a massive challenge. It was so bad that we were worried we might have been forced to cancel the event altogether. The pupils were simply amazing and a true credit to St. Peter the Apostle High School."

Lachie Stewart (10,000 metre Commonwealth Games gold medal winner in 1970) and former Celtic footballer Danny McGrain joined a host of other celebrities in cheering the pupils on. All of the proceeds raised from the World Marathon Challenge are going to Save the Children.