Marathon madness fun

MANY schools in County Louth look for ways of raising much needed funds for various projects. Mr McComish, 5th class teacher in St Peter’s NS, Dromiskin, came up with a novel idea to provide a boost for the school’s building project fund and also improve the children’s health and fitness!!

On Friday 28th April the school had a sponsored Marathon Madness Fun Day where every child and teacher in the school, in relay, combined to run the marathon distance of 26 miles. Beginning at 9.15am they ran for a continuous two hours and fifty six minutes to complete this daunting task.

Unfortunately Deputy Principal, Mr Pat Hamilton, had injured himself in the warm up but Ms Larney gladly stepped in to the breach and took up the slack!!

After breaking for lunch this was followed by an at- tempt to break the world half marathon record by senior pupils in conjunction with St Peter’s Athletics Club. They narrowly failed to defeat the target of 58 minutes for 13 miles but were delighted to beat the Irish record on the day.

The event was run as part of Active Schools’ Week, and with live broadcast by Dundalk FM, support from St Peter’s AC, fruit and vegetables provided by Country Fresh and refreshments from the Parents’ Committee a great day was had by all. Great credit goes to those involved and the school is very appreciative of the generous sponsorship.

One of the pupils taking part in the marathon fundraiser.

Pupils enjoying the unique event.

St Peter’s AC athletes who took part in the half marathon world record attempt.

Enjoying the event in St Peter’s NS.

Teacher David McComish pacing one of the runners.