Runner smashes school playground challenge

A man has raised almost £11,000 towards a new school playground by running 300 miles during Advent.

James Scott, from Jersey, took on Mont à l'Abbé School's festive challenge to fund a play area for children with special educational needs. The school still needs £100,000 to hit its £450,000 target.

Mr Scott completed the task on Christmas Eve, crossing the finish line at La Fregate Cafe on the waterfront at 13:00 GMT.

Over 24 days, he ran the equivalent of 11 marathons. The challenge was an accumulator, meaning he added an extra mile each day, ending with a 24-mile run.

He partnered with the children's charity Variety for the fundraiser. Speaking after his final run, Mr Scott admitted the strain kicked in on Monday.

"That was the first challenging run," he said.

"But I remembered the words of my old football manager who used to say to me, 'tiredness is just a little man in your head telling you lies'."

Mr Scott said the pupils kept him motivated throughout. They turned out in force on day one at Les Quennevais cycle track.

"There were about 10 to 12 minibuses full of the pupils, staff and parents and it was a great morning," he said.

"I've got their faces locked in my mind… that's all the motivation you need really."

The children and their families face challenges every day, Mr Scott added, and that thought pushed him through the miles.

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