A CHALLENGE which saw two members of school staff complete five half marathons in five days has raised thousands of pounds towards a new learning area.
St Mary’s RC Primary School teaching assistant Tracey Tallentire and teacher Alex Dougall took to the roads around Teesdale during half term to raise cash which will go towards a £10,000 “nurture pod” – an outdoor facility offering a quiet learning environment and other facilities.
Day one saw the pair jog from Evenwood to Startforth. Day two was a circular route starting and finishing in Woodland, taking in Hamsterley Forest.
The third half marathon set off from Harwood and wound its way to Middleton-in-Teesdale via High Force and the Pennine Way.
Friday’s run went from Tan Hill to Barnard Castle and the final leg set off from the town, taking in Whorlton and Wycliffe before returning to Barney where they were met at The Bowes Museum by pupils, who joined in the final few hundred yards, staff, parents and supporters.
Mr Dougall, 26, completed the challenge unscathed, but Ms Tallentire, 47, was nursing blisters.
“Alex just loved it and sprang along every day. He’s a fit lad and plays sport. He is now wanting to top trump it for next year,” said Ms Tallentire, a member of the Evenwood Road Runners club.
“After day three, when I had blisters, I woke up on day four and knowing there were two more to do, I was a bit emotional.
“I gave myself a talking to and once day four was over, I was just excited to do the last day and meet all the kids.
“It was such a buzz to see them all there. It was lovely,” she said.
The pair have raised £1,600 through an online fundraising page and a further £1,300 through events at school such as a fun day and cake sale.
Sponsor money raised by pupils will be added to that total this week, while S&A has donated everything needed for the nurture pod’s ground work. Ms Tallentire thanked friends from Evenwood Road Runners who turned out to jog with the pair for each of the half marathons.
Blisters notwithstanding, Ms Tallentire plans to turn out with the rest of the Evenwood runners taking part in this weekend’s Blaydon Races on Tyneside.
“Hopefully, I should be able to fly that if the blisters have recovered,” she said.
