‘School Run’ with a difference for Head Teacher

A HEAD Teacher is embarking on a school run with a difference.

Rob Sellors, who is in charge of Cronk-y-Berry Primary School in Douglas, is undertaking a 92-mile duathlon on Sunday, September 30.

He will run or cycle past all the Island’s 43 schools – a journey he is hoping to complete in under 12 hours.

Mr Sellors will run for 27 miles, cycle for 52 and then run for a further 13. He is labelling his marathon effort The School Run. He is tackling it in aid of the charity Manx Cancer Help on the 10th anniversary of his father’s death from cancer.

‘Having lost my father John to cancer 10 years ago, I feel it is timely that I try to raise funds to support a local cancer charity and Manx Cancer Help is run by volunteers to support families and friends of sufferers as well as providing care for patients,’ Mr Sellors explained.

‘Manx Cancer Help offers programmes promoting lifestyle advice, information, complementary therapies and self-help techniques. The charity provides support through treatment and recovery and promotes positive health, physical and psychological wellbeing.

‘Nearly everyone knows someone at work, school or socially who has been affected by cancer and so I hope that people are able to support this event in any way they can by pledging donations.’

Mr Sellors, 40, has run several marathons, including the Isle of Man Mountain Marathon, and has completed half marathons and 10km events as well as running the 39 mile end-to-end route in just over five and a half hours. Even so, this will be his most gruelling challenge to date.

He said:

‘I’ve been running seriously now for around 18 months and it has become part of my life, so I thought it would make sense to base my fundraising activity around this activity and aim for a challenge with a difference; one which might interest people of all ages.

‘As my profession is in education, I decided that a journey around all the Island’s schools would be something unique and within the possibility of completion by running and cycling. As far as I am aware, a challenge like this hasn’t been completed before on the Island.’

He went on:

‘My training regime is fairly intense, usually starting with a 4.30am get up and an hour’s run and stretching before breakfast during the week and further long distance running and cycling at weekends.

‘The route I am taking, which passes all 43 schools, starts from Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, the Manx language primary school in St John’s, at 6am. I will run southwards as far as Scoill Phurt le Moirrey, then north east to Marown which, at 27 miles, marks the end of the first leg, all undertaken by running.

‘The middle section of the challenge, on the bike, then heads east, where all the Douglas and Onchan schools are visited, before heading north through Laxey to Ramsey and the northern schools. The final switch back to running resumes at Ballaugh and ends 13 miles later back at St John’s school, via Peel.

‘In spite of the considerable mileage, I am optimistic about completing this challenge and I look forward to seeing friends, pupils and colleagues on the way offering their support. All contributions accepted, particularly wet sponges, bananas and jelly babies!’

If you would like to offer sponsorship for this event, please contact Mr Sellors by email at headteacher@cronkyberry.sch.im or send cheques – payable to Manx Cancer Help – to: Rob Sellors, c/o Cronk-y-Berry School, Hailwood Avenue, Governor’s Hill, Douglas, IM2 7PA.