A new variety of school run

RUNNING . . . Oasis Academy teacher Kathryn Allison

AN Oldham teacher is swapping the classroom for the streets of the capital as she gets set to run the London Marathon.

Kathryn Allison, who teaches maths and geography at Oasis Academy Oldham, heads to London tonight to join thousands of other runners who are taking part in the annual event.

She has raised nearly £500 for the local Oasis community hub, with the aim of bringing in £1,700.

The 26-year-old said: "I have always wanted to run a marathon. I never knew which charity to do it for but when the opportunity came to run for Oasis I thought it was a good chance."

Her place in the marathon was confirmed in November and since then she has been training non-stop, which has included doing a 15k run and a half marathon. To stay in shape, she has changed her diet and is drinking more water and less coffee.

Kathryn took a break recently when she got married on Easter Saturday, but has put her honeymoon on hold until a later date.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "I've never run a marathon before. I'm just hoping I will get to the end. All my friends and family are excited, they're looking forward to seeing me do it.

"The school are glad I'm raising money for the Oldham hub and they have been supportive. My husband is coming to London with me and two friends are coming to watch.

"I've not booked another run yet but I think I will carry on, I have enjoyed it so far."

Kathryn is hoping to complete the marathon in six hours. And there will be no rest for her, as she will jump on a train and head back up North to teach her classes on Monday morning.

Andrew Smyth, the school's community hub leader and chaplain, said: "Oasis, as a charity, has a lot of people running the London Marathon.

"We're very proud that Kat is running this year on behalf of the Oasis Hub charity."

To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/katisrunning