Teachers Motivate Kids to Stay Active Through the London Marathon

A group of teachers participating in the TCS London Marathon on Sunday is inspiring children to live healthier, happier lives while gaining confidence through running.

The 14 Team TCS Teachers utilize running to boost students' fitness and self-esteem.

Some schools will bring students to central London on Saturday for the TCS Mini London Marathon, where they can run, jog, walk, or wheel for one mile or 2.6 km, finishing at The Mall, where marathon runners will cross the next day.

Building Confidence and Community Through Running

Other schools are organizing on-site events to encourage students to get active. West London’s Featherstone Primary School, for instance, hosts a weekly running club.

Deputy Headteacher Graham Cooksey mentioned how his marathon training sparked interest in running among students. “I started running during playground breaks, and soon I had 20-30 kids joining me,” he told the PA news agency.

This initiative has positively impacted the children. “They’re healthier, happier, performing better, and sleeping better—which pleases their parents.

It’s turned into a community activity,” Mr. Cooksey shared. The school also held a competition to select students for the central London event, awarding badges and certificates to everyone who participated.

“We’ve seen wonderful results. From one person joining the marathon, we now have 25 kids participating and parents getting involved too.

We’ve even discovered some extraordinary talent, including a student who shows professional potential,” he added.

The Mini London Marathon, which began in 1985, has seen notable participants like Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan.

Mr. Cooksey, who has been at the school since 2007, expressed hope that some students’ involvement could lead to similar futures. “It would be amazing if their Mini Marathon entry became the starting point for something big.”

Inspiring Stories of Determination

Mr. Cooksey rekindled his love for running during the COVID-19 lockdowns, which he described as a coping mechanism after losing his colleague and friend Georgie Jones-Pagaduan to cancer in 2017.

Motivated by her husband to run from London to Brighton for charity, he found running to be a healthy emotional outlet during tough times.

This weekend, he’ll dedicate his run to both Georgie and his late grandmother, Anne, who passed away in 2020.

Both women inspired him through their strength and perseverance. “When things get tough during the marathon, I remind myself of their resilience,” he said.

A highlight of his preparation was meeting his hero, Paula Radcliffe, during a Team TCS session at London’s Olympic Park.

Year 2 teacher Tanzeela Khalid of Nelson Primary School in Birmingham, running her first marathon, hopes to inspire students to see that sport is for everyone.

Miss Khalid, who wears a hijab, noted, “Growing up, I rarely saw people like me participating in sports. To see someone who represents them helps my students believe they can do it too.”

She has started an after-school running club where students gradually build endurance. “At first, they struggled to run for 30 seconds, but now they’re more confident and love competing. It’s wonderful to see,” she said.

Much of her training coincided with Ramadan, requiring her to fast while running. “It’s been challenging, but I’ve shared my experiences with my students to encourage them to persevere through tough situations.”

Breaking Barriers in Sports

PE teacher Dylan Wing from Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon aims to help reduce the number of teenage girls dropping out of sports. The school’s running club began in 2020 with just three students but now includes 45 members.

“It’s a huge confidence booster. Many students look forward to running each week. I’m confident that some of them will one day run a full marathon,” he said.

Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, Mr. Wing shared how physical activity helps manage symptoms and improve focus. He recently completed the Valencia Marathon and is looking forward to the energy of the London crowds.

Through initiatives like these, teachers are not only inspiring students to stay active but are also fostering a sense of community, resilience, and self-belief in future generations.

Source: hindustantimes

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