The Abbey proudly supported the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday. We ran one of the official water stations right outside school and Sixth Formers Aurelia and Ione started the Mini Marathon!

Students and staff gave out thousands of bottles of water to runners as they strode down Kendrick Road, passing the six mile mark of the 13.1-mile half marathon route.

Meanwhile, Aurelia and Ione were selected to have the honour of starting the family Mini Marathon, as they are such wonderful sporting ambassadors. Both have represented GB in rowing and were an example to other local children of what they can achieve and aspire to. Standing alongside Sir John Madejski they fired the starting horn.

It is fantastic to see our school playing such key roles in such an important local event that unites the whole town.

A special well done to Elisha for completing the Green Park Marathon! Congratulations also to Mr Matthew Hawkins, Mr Michael Dalton, and Miss Gabie Livingstone on their fantastic achievements in the Half Marathon!

Our Sports Scholars were at school bright and early helping to get everything into position before the first runners arrived.

As the road became flooded with participants it was incredibly touching how many took the time to say ‘thank you’ as they grabbed their water. This appreciation was reflected in this lovely email sent into school on Monday:

“Yesterday I was one of the runners at Reading Half Marathon and one thing that stood out to me were your amazing students handing out water! I was so impressed by their politeness and willingness to do this for the Reading community on a Sunday.

You should be so impressed and proud of the students and I just wanted to let you know that their hard work was definitely appreciated.

Thank you and I hope to see this continue next year! What an amazing group of students!!”

They were amazing and we are proud of how they stepped up to support their community.