BUDDING athletes at a school in Thornbury were joined by the town’s mayor for a “mini-marathon” to try and encourage an active lifestyle.

Cllr Helen Harrison, a triathlete herself, joined pupils from Gillingstool Primary School to compete in the annual mini-marathon, completing as many laps of the school field in 15 minutes as possible.

While the older pupils took part in the longer 200m course, pupils from the earlier year groups were invited to tackle the 70m route.

Having pledged her year in office to helping raise the profile of young people in the town, the mayor agreed to take part by running the laps in full robes and chain, covering 10 laps, an impressive 2km.

The distance was only bettered by class six pupil Mia Maidstone who completed the circuit 14 times, an amazing 2.8km.

Gillingstool head teacher Clive Riches said: “We started the event to coincide with the London Olympics and four years later, it is has become a school tradition.

“There is a fabulous moment when you stand back and see the school field filled with all the pupils, all running at the same time.

“It was fantastic for the children to have the mayor running with them in full robes and they were very impressed by her 10 laps.”