Marathon efforts across our Trust
Children and adults from schools throughout Evolution Academy Trust have been involved in marathons in the last week – everywhere from London to Norfolk and Suffolk!
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Children’s Mini London Marathon
Four children from Elm Tree Primary - Jessica, Hartley, Ben, and Jackson - took part in the 2.6km Mini Marathon in London last Saturday. The event took place along part of the iconic London Marathon route, where the children joined hundreds of other young runners to take on the exciting challenge. Before the race began, they took part in a lively warm-up session led by fitness coach and TV personality Joe Wicks, which helped get them energized and ready to run.
Each of the children showed great determination and effort as they completed the full 2.6km course. Their hard work and determination paid off as they crossed the finish line, where they proudly received their well-earned medals. It was a fantastic day full of energy, enthusiasm and excitement. Everyone is incredibly proud of Jessica, Hartley, Ben, and Jackson for representing the school so well.
Jessica said: “The experience was really enjoyable. I really liked how they played music throughout to keep us going and entertained, which helped when I was getting really tired. I feel very proud to have done it.”
Ben said: “I felt excited at the start, but a little bit nervous too. I really enjoyed the experience and focused more on embracing the atmosphere instead of worrying about the time it took me to finish. I feel very happy that I was able to take part in this event and feel proud now wearing my finishers medal.”
Jackson said: “This was a different opportunity that most people would usually not get to do, so that is really cool. I liked how we got to run and see other sights around London, like Buckingham Palace. I feel really proud of myself now that I have completed it.
Hartley added: “Before I started, I was very excited to get going. During the run, I could feel myself getting exhausted and excited for the finish line. Since finishing, I have hardly removed my medal from around my neck!”
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Mr Smith runs again
Also in London at the weekend was Elm Tree’s Dan Smith, running the full London Marathon for the second year in a row, raising money for WellChild (Elm Tree’s charity of the year last year).
Dan said “Last Sunday, I ran the London Marathon and achieved my goal of finishing in under four hours, crossing the line in 3 hours, 50 minutes. The unseasonable heat made the race significantly more challenging, especially in the later miles. It was a massive personal achievement - smashing my previous best by 47 minutes, compared to last year's time. I was proud to run in support of WellChild again, a fantastic charity that helps seriously ill children and their families. Despite the tough conditions, the atmosphere was incredible and it was an unforgettable and deeply rewarding experience.”
Well done to Dan!
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Mini Marathon at school
Back in Suffolk, this week pupils at Coldfair Green have been getting into the running spirit with the whole school taking part in the ‘Mini London Marathon in School’. Children of all ages and abilities are invited to run, job, walk, wheel or be guided round a two mile course at school.
Everyone at Coldfair really enjoyed themselves – and said they would like to do it more often!
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Costessey Primary pupils run over 1,000 miles
This week, Costessey Primary School proudly took part in the Mini London Marathon 2025, turning PE lessons into an exciting and inspiring celebration of fitness, community and determination. From Nursery through to Year 6, every pupil got involved, making this a whole-school effort to remember.
Throughout the week, children not only got moving, they also learned about the rich history of the marathon. They discovered how the London Marathon has inspired millions, from elite athletes and everyday runners to people who run for meaningful causes. To further inspire the young participants, staff members brought in their own medals and photographs from past marathons. Some children also brought in their own running medals, as well as medals that belonged to their parents, proudly sharing these achievements with classmates. This created a fantastic sense of excitement and inspiration across the school.
In their PE sessions, each child walked, jogged, or ran competitively, covering two miles individually. Collectively, the children completed an incredible 1,186 miles - equivalent to 4,744 laps around the school field!
The event wasn’t just about running; it was about joy, teamwork, and resilience. Some children showcased impressive cross-country skills, while others simply enjoyed the fun of walking with friends. There were moments of singing, dancing, and even arm-linking as they made their way around the field, creating a warm and festive atmosphere all week long.
Many children felt a great sense of pride, especially those who doubted they could complete the full two miles. For some, this was their longest run yet - and crossing the finish line brought a wave of accomplishment and confidence. “I didn’t think I could do it, but I did!” was a common phrase heard around the field.
Inspired by the experience, children were full of ambition and excitement for the future. Aria in Year 2 stated: “I’m going to do a marathon when I’m older!”, and Poppy in Year 5 said: "I’m going to keep my mini marathon race bib for my memory box." These were just a couple of the proud and determined things children said throughout the week. Many pupils left their lessons dreaming of becoming runners one day, and the event has undoubtedly planted the seeds of a healthy and active lifestyle.