Primary students have walked thousands of miles in a bid to improve healthy lifestyles and participate in their heritage.

Seven years ago Garth Thomson, a PE Teacher and ITech Coordinator at Francis Patton Primary school, started a tradition of walking laps on the school field daily from 8 a.m. to 8.45 a.m.

The goal was for students to be able to participate in the May 24 Half Marathon Derby — a race fundamental in Bermuda's heritage — by walking the 13.1 mile distance during a six week period prior to the event.

Mr. Thomson, who will be leaving the Island this year, said he wanted to give the students a chance to participate in the annual event while also improving their health.

He said: "This is our seventh year we have done it. It has been incredible. I have run and ridden May 24 in my first year teaching here and I thought we should see if the kids can walk the distance. I have had every kind of student participating from the four-year-old to the asthmatic student.

"We had an 80-year-old great grandmother come out and walk on the field. It's great because May 24 is a big part of their heritage and it's also totally about getting kids into healthy lifestyles. "This commitment is with themselves. There's nobody who finishes first because it doesn't matter if it takes two weeks to do it or four weeks."

He said the number of miles the students have logged has been incredible. This year he has two boys who have almost walked the equivalent of a marathon. And at least 90 of the 130 students at the school will also manage the equivalent of the Half Marathon Derby — 13.1 miles which will hopefully reach their goal of 2,010 miles this year.

But Mr. Thomson, who hopes the teachers or community will continue the tradition, stressed the walking was not a competitive event and every child will be awarded a medal on May 21 in an assembly at the school.

He added: "This is about winning through their effort and being consistent. It's not a thing they can show-up two mornings for. They have got to come for ten or 15 days to complete the half marathon.

"That's a big commitment, but they do it. I am blown away constantly. So far I have 60 students who have finished the marathon, but they keep coming out and walking. That's what I like about it.

"It's competitive because they want to finish the marathon. It's not competitive between students. It's very inclusive which is good because some things we do at this age are too competitive.

"It's a big accomplishment. I have some five-year-olds who haven't missed a day."