Teachers and mums tackle Yorkshire Marathon to raise money for play area at Wigginton Primary School

The 13 are busy training for the race on October 12 and are hoping to get as much sponsorship as possible. They will be splitting into two teams and running the 26 miles as a relay.

The runners are: teachers Sarah Ryding and Tess Primerolo, and mums Helen Brighton, Lindsey Male, Denise Jennings, Billie Cameron, Lucie Rowntree, Lucy Nixon, Sara Morgan, Kirtsy Moss, Sam Johnson, Colleen Horne and Katie Roberts.

Year 5 teacher Sarah Ryding took up the challenge at the start of the school summer holidays. She said: "I started off running for a minute, then walking for a minute and gradually built up from there. Different people are running different distances. I'm going to be running 5km then pass the baton to someone else. I am very nervous about it. I just hope I can get round."

Claire Carr, chairman of Wigginton Primary School PTA, said the money raised would be used to create "an exciting and imaginative new play area in the school playground".

She said: "The play area will have areas to run, climb, balance and swing. There will be room for children to make dens and play imaginatively as well as encouraging more physical activities."

The cost of the play equipment will be about £20,000 and the runners have set a target of £1,000 from Yorkshire Marathon sponsorship.

On Friday, October 10, the school is asking pupils to come in sports kit and take part in running events to celebrate the marathon.

Claire said: "We are relying on support . A donation to our fund in appreciation of the marathon runners or for the children's running efforts would be hugely appreciated. No matter how small, every penny will help us towards our goal."

Donations can be given directly to the school office or at www.justgiving.com/wiggintonprimary

For more useful training tips from bloggers and in-depth coverage on the day visit www.yorkpress.co.uk/marathon

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