Teachers’ marathon effort to raise money for City Farm

In April, two members of staff at St James’ Church of England Primary School in Gloucester will be taking part in the London Marathon. Ahead of the big day, they share why they are taking on this challenge and how they fit in training around their teaching jobs.

Alice Tredgett, who teaches Y4, and Justin Hutchinson, who teaches Y5, have taken on the challenge of running the London Marathon in the hope of raising money for St James’ City Farm and Riding School where the schoolchildren regularly visit to take care of the animals and have horse-riding lessons.

The City Farm connects inner-city children and families with the opportunities in training, employment and leisure found in the countryside. They also run a small riding school, allowing children who would otherwise not have the chance to learn the basics of riding and horse care to have 1-1 lessons. Without the help of donations and volunteers, St James’ City Farm cannot offer these services, so Alice and Justin decided to run the London Marathon to help support them.

Last year, Alice, an experienced marathon runner, completed the run in 3 hours 26 minutes – a personal best.

Alice says, “Training is well underway and the early morning runs have begun! At the moment, I am running six days a week, some runs are at 5am before school and some are in the evening. Mr Hutchinson and I both run in the same running club and we are hoping to complete some of our long training runs together so it is not as lonely (he keeps me entertained with his bad jokes). I am hoping to achieve another personal best and raise lots of money for City Farm.”

Justin is a regular runner at Gloucester Parkrun and has also completed marathons and ultra-marathons.

Justin says, “My training is going well. I’ve got my new marathon trainers ready and am wearing them in. As a diverse school, we are tracking the training miles we cover and thinking about where in the world it would take you. The children have used maps and maths to work out we have run enough miles to get to Paris!”

Children are supporting their teachers all the way.

One pupil in Miss Tredgett’s class said, “I think she will need a break after she has run the Marathon!”

While another in Mr Hutchinson’s class added, “We are going to be watching on the 21st and will be shouting ‘Go Mr Hutchinson!’ at the TV.”

Mrs Gardiner, Operational Headteacher, said, “There are no other words for it; Alice and Justin are inspirational! Dedicated teachers, wonderful team players and exceptional athletes. They run before school when we’re all still in bed and after school when we’re all having our dinner. True dedication – especially through the winter months. Everyone here at St James’ is extremely proud of them and wishes them well in finishing the race and maybe even getting a personal best time!”

St James’ Church of England Primary will be joining the DGAT family of schools in the spring.

Mr Millington, Executive Headteacher, adds, “St James’ Junior School and Hatherley Infant School are very excited to be joining the DGAT family this April and being able to continue our journey with approximately 22 other schools. We know that this will bring many benefits to our children, staff and families into the future.”