Staff and students from Ormiston Denes Academy shine in Lowestoft Scores Race

Ormiston Denes Academy line up at the Lowestoft Scores Race for a team photo. Picture: Courtesy of Ormiston Denes Academy (Image: Archant)

More than 20 staff and students at Ormiston Denes Academy took part in the Lowestoft Scores Race on Sunday – after principal Ben Driver had set staff a challenge on the final day of Summer term.

A school spokesman said: 'Staff that took on the challenge had the school holidays to train for the event. In total 22 runners participated all wearing the lime green T-shirts.'

For the vast majority it was their first 'organised race' with several hoping to finish the course. Top runner, assistant principal Philip Dougherty set a good pace for the men, with Claire Wilkinson doing likewise for the female team.

All 22 members finished the race and cheered one another on at the finish.

Team captain Stuart Aldous, assistant principal at the academy in Yarmouth Road, said: 'The support from our pupils, parents, family members, marshals and our community was astonishing, it really kept us going.'

On completion of the race several members of the team went to the final presentation, where they received praise in the closing speech for their enthusiasm and numbers in the team – the biggest non affiliated running club team of the day.

To a great cheer the Ormiston Denes team picked up the ladies team and the mixed team shields.

Principal Ben Driver, delighted with the Ormiston Denes team's effort, said: 'All of our competitors, including myself, had a fantastic time and several staff and students are feeling rightly proud of themselves'.

The academy would like to thank race organiser Tim Earl and the officials and marshals of Waveney Valley Athletics Club for leading such an excellent event.