BOLTON’S Community Half-Marathon may have been cancelled this year — but it still inspired children to lace up their training shoes and take part in their own version of the running event.

St Matthew’s CE Primary School in Halliwell staged the event after being presented with the medals which had been ordered for — but no longer needed — for the town’s half-marathon.

Every class in the school, from reception to Year Six, completed a half-marathon, with every child running six laps around the school yard — with teachers joining in too.

Andy Currid, Year Five class teacher and PE co-ordinator, said: “Organiser of the Bolton Community Half Marathon Stewart Jones knows a colleague of mine and that’s why we were given the medals.

“We were were able to organise out half-marathon as part of the school’s work to involve young people and engage them in sports and keeping fit and health. We able to do something educational with them and they are really good medals of a high quality.”

“The children enjoyed it, with every class of 30 completing a half-marathon between them — and they loved receiving their medals.

“We were very lucky with the weather and staff also took part.”

Reem Salim, aged six, said: “I was shocked when I finished because I thought I could not do it.”

Rys Williamson, aged five, added: “I felt so proud of myself when I finished.!

Jaiden Grieve, aged five, said: “I felt excited because have never done this before.”

Haeemah Iqbal, aged five, said: “My sister has always wanted a medal and now I have one.”