Fun run gets a reboot as families give their personal best for Hill West

Support is gathering pace for a popular Sutton Park fun run, which is taking place ‘virtually’ this year thanks to the team spirit and staying power of the enterprising Hill West Primary School community.

The 26^th annual Hill West Runs may not be going ahead as usual, but families are being encouraged to enter a 4k virtual run or walk, following their own route, pace and time. All proceeds from the £1 entry fee will go towards buying a treat for pupils and staff in the new academic year.

The popular 4k and 10k runs are organised by the Hill West Primary School Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA). In 2019, 250 pupils joined family, staff and even four legged friends, at the landmark Jamboree Stone for the 4k fun run. The event also attracts many competitive runners from across the Midlands, with lots taking part in the 10 km race.

This year’s runs have already seen families creating their own routes as part of the virtual fundraiser and many others are signed up to take part in the coming weeks. Determined sisters, nine-year-old Sophie, and Chloe, aged 6 (pictured), completed their own race alongside their mother, Dawn Adamthwaite, who is chair of the Hill West PTFA.

Inspired by other virtual events, Dawn came up with the idea to recreate the legendary Hill West Runs, with the support of fellow PTFA volunteers.

She explained:

The annual ‘Hill West Runs’ are one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the school calendar. They involve the whole community, with teams of volunteers, and we are incredibly proud of our 26 year history. We know how much the event means to our families and community, so we decided to keep the spirit alive with a virtual run. Our committee had three aims – that the event would be as inclusive and safe as possible, and that it must benefit our children and staff.

“We decided against publishing the usual route as we did not want to encourage too many people to the same place and make it difficult for them to remain at safe distances. We have encouraged people to walk a route of their choice at a time that suits them so that people can always observe social distancing rules.”

The Hill West Runs are usually part of the PTFA’s annual fundraising activities. This year, all proceeds from the run will remain separate to the annual fundraising account and be used to purchase a ‘thank you’ treat for pupils and staff. Children who take part in the event will receive a certificate that they can print out at home.

Dawn added:

Our children have been brilliant and resilient in the lockdown and our staff have been incredible too, so we wanted to give them a thank you treat, which will be decided at a later date. We all feel that our children are coping extremely well during such strange times. We’re also grateful to all of the staff at school for their dedication in keeping in touch and helping to look after the key worker and vulnerable children.” 

Dawn is “overwhelmed” by the amount of support the event is receiving.

She said: “We’ve had such a great response from our learning community. Some people have walked locally and others further afield, some have been running, while others have walked their dogs. My own family chose to complete our virtual walk in Hednesford, where I grew up and played as a child, so it was a lovely trip down memory lane.  It’s also where RAF Hednesford were based during WWII, so tied in nicely with some of the home school work we had been doing around VE Day.  While the girls did some running, it was most definitely a walk for me!

“And that’s what we love about our family 4k, whether it’s in the park as an organised event, or done individually, anyone can participate.  It’s about doing something fun and active with your family.  We are so grateful to everyone taking part.”

Hill West headteacher, Dr Beth Clarke, said:

It’s so wonderful that our families and staff are carrying the torch for this Hill West tradition and I am moved to see that even lockdown has not deterred this community from coming together – albeit it virtually!

“We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated PTFA who put children first and I appreciate their ingenuity and commitment in the face of such challenge.

“Our children are showing real fortitude and thoughtfulness and I am so proud of them. It’s beneficial for them to enjoy familiar routines, such as exercise, especially as we teach our pupils the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I’ll be joining in the fun with my own family and can’t wait to share our progress. Thanks to everybody for ensuring that the Hill West runs on.”

For more details please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/virtual-fun-run?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet