It was amazing to see The Abbey School community all over the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday – taking part in such a huge Reading event in all manners of ways!
We ran the official water station outside the school on Kendrick Road, Carys in Upper VI started the Green Park Challenge which Abbey staff and their families ran in, as well as students and teachers running the half marathon itself!
More than seven thousand people ran past our school and we were there, cheering them all on. Staff and students volunteered to be here first thing setting up the official six mile water station and then lined the sides of Kendrick Road handing water out. It was a huge team effort getting the caps off quick enough to get bottles to the runners – and you had to watch out for getting splashed! Laura, Lower V, said that “it was so much fun” and when asked if she’d do it again? An instant “Yes!”.
Maths teacher, Peter Amblin, ran the Green Park Challenge with his son, alongside other family members of staff at The Abbey.
They were all set on their way at the start line by Abbey student, and this year’s Reading School Sport Personality of the Year winner, Carys. It was a huge honour for her to fire the air horn, standing alongside Sir John Madejski. In the build-up to Sunday, Carys had been invited on BBC Radio Berkshire, as well as being featured on BBC1’s South Today to talk about starting the race and her sporting journey. Carys was a brilliant role model to others, as well as a fantastic ambassador for The Abbey.
Elisha and Ally from Lower III successfully completed the Green Park marathon challenge of 3 KM and were very proud of their medals.
Shortly after the Green Park Challenge, the Reading Half began. Runners tackling the 13.1miles included Molly and Sophie from Lower VI who ran to raise money for YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Sophie said, “We managed to raise £670 for Young Minds and we loved our cheers as we passed school, it really kept us going! I completed it in 2 hours 10 minutes and Molly in 2 hours 25 minutes!”.
Amy Brown, Lower VI, completed the race in 2 hours and 10 minutes and said, “I really enjoyed running the Reading Half Marathon. The atmosphere was amazing, and it was super fun to be running around the town where I have so many amazing memories I have made with my friends.”
The Abbey Runners were all treated to huge cheers as they ran through the water station outside school, especially Head of History, Matt Hawkins, who was proudly wearing his ‘Abbey Runners’ top! Mr Hawkins was raising money for Cancer Research UK and managed to finish in a fantastic 1 hour and 56 minutes despite being ill the week before! Mr Hawkins said, “Running past The Abbey and receiving cheers from the volunteer staff and pupils was a real boost: it genuinely makes a difference to runners when they see familiar, friendly faces offering them support. Many thanks to the volunteers who gave up most of their Sunday morning to help!”
Meanwhile, Mike Dalton, Director of Enrichment, entered the ‘virtual’ half marathon and finished in an impressive 1:49:24. We’re sure his Abbey Runners top helped power him through!
It was such a joy to receive this message from alumnae Sinead Hunter (Class of 2001) after the race, “Please pass on my thanks to the staff and students who were handing out water and cheering on Sunday. WHAT A BRILLIANT SURPRISE! It honestly brought a (happy) tear to my eye as I was running down Kendrick Road and I was so proud to see Abbey Girls out supporting their community. That little boost really kept me going!”.
Avika’s (Upper V) dad, Ankush, even stopped for a selfie with his daughter’s form tutor Robert Bradley as he ran past.
The Reading Half Marathon is such an important event for the town. It came alive with runners, supporters, volunteers and charities all coming together as a community. It was absolutely fantastic to see The Abbey family so involved and supportive of such a huge event, that raises thousands of pounds for so many good causes. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered to help at the water station and congratulations to all who completed the race!
