Glasgow pupils run marathon to help school 'upgrade' play areas

Glasgow Times

13-05-2025

The 21 children, all aged between seven and eight, completed the challenge at Scotstoun Stadium, where the athletics events for the 2026 Glasgow Games will be held.
Organised by a group of parents, the event aimed to support the West End school's efforts to upgrade its outdoor spaces and play areas.
Roar Norman warming up (Image: Hillhead Primary)
Despite the warm weather, the children ran more than 100 laps of the stadium, each covering an average of four laps (1.31 miles), contributing to the total marathon distance of 26.2 miles. They completed the challenge in 28 minutes.
Isla Bradley, seven, said: "It was very fun and exciting, especially because I was doing it with my friends and we raised lots and lots of money for the school."
Manus Scullion running (Image: Hillhead Primary)
Rebecca Honeybunn, one of the organisers, added: "The kids did an amazing job completing the challenge, and we're incredibly grateful for the support from parents and the local community, including Scotstoun Stadium. They absolutely smashed their target, so they should all be very proud."
READ NEXT: 'Car crash TV': Glasgow designer on her painful exit from hit BBC show
'It was the end of blackouts and air raids and fear' as Glasgow marked VE Day
'Fantastic work': School near Glasgow given high praise by inspectors
Andrew Robson, headteacher of Hillhead Primary, which has around 600 pupils, said: "This is a fundraising initiative that has been driven by the pupils themselves, and we are extremely proud of all of them.
"Their original target was £500 so to have increased their target to an incredible £1500 is wonderful.
"Our Primary 3s were very clear, they would like the funds to go towards purchasing playground equipment and improving our play spaces and this will benefit all our pupils."
Lap counting (Image: Hillhead Primary)
He added: "I'd like to thank the parents and carers who have worked so hard and supported their children to complete such a successful fundraising campaign on behalf of our school."
Ahead of their efforts, the kids also received a very special message of support from double Commonwealth gold medal champion Eilish McColgan, European record holder for the 10km road race, and the British record holder for the 5000m, 10000m and half marathon.
Eilish, who is in Japan at the moment, congratulated the children on taking on a "monstrous challenge" and wished them good luck.
Donations will be accepted until the end of the month via the event's Just Giving page.