SPORTS stars of the future have been given a taste of long-distance running as they prepare to complete their own half marathon Four to 11 year-olds from nine schools in Oxfordshire have signed up to take part in the schools challenge sponsored by Mini’s Oxford plant, ahead of Oxford Half Marathon race-day on Sunday, October 12.

Over the last two months they have been running one or two miles a week to reach a 12-mile target.

Under-23 world triathlon champion Sophia Saller, who is supporting the challenge, said it will help create the next generation of champions.

She said: “I think it’s fantastic that the Schools Challenge has been introduced this year.

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“I very strongly believe that sport helps you focus, helps you get your body physically ready so you have more energy and are more mentally prepared.

“From a very young age you can learn a lot about mental strength.”

The mathematics student at St Catherine’s College said getting primary school children involved was an important step.

She said: “It provides an opportunity for children to experience being a part of one of Oxford’s biggest annual events, which will give them a taste for competitive sport and provide a pathway for some of them to pursue running as they make their way through school.”

Miss Saller was at Larkrise Primary School to meet some of the children taking part in the challenge and inspire them to take up sport.

Leader of PE at the school, Carina Phillips, said she was keen to get her pupils involved with a wide range of sports.

She said: “Running can sometimes be seen as being boring.

“We have been targeting kids we do not normally get involved.

“I think they were really excited about Sophia coming down and saw that sport was not just for exercise and can lead to opportunities outside school.

The children have combined their running with raising money for charities including schools challenge partner Helen and Douglas House.

Half Marathon race director Andrew Taylor said: “We hope that they really enjoy taking part in this unique event and we look forward to seeing them on race day.”

 


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