THIS weekend, teachers and pupils of North Berwick High School (NBHS) will be slipping on their running shoes to take on the Edinburgh Marathon Festival for worthy causes.

Starting in the Capital, seven teams consisting of 15 staff members and 13 students are expected to be taking part in the gruelling 26.2 mile relay, hitting the streets of Edinburgh and winding their way to the finish line at Musselburgh's Pinkie Playing Fields.

The 28 participants will be raising money for charities close to their hearts, Leuchie House and Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity, with both organisations providing critical care to people with severe conditions.

Thousands of athletes have already signed up for the many distances on offer over the weekend, and the Courier met up with the staff and students at NBHS taking on the challenge.

Every team has four runners, with the first person having to run 8.3 miles, starting from the historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh, with the first changeover at Fisherrow Links in Musselburgh.

The reins will then be handed over to the second person, who will run 5.5 miles before the second switch-over at Port Seton Links.

The next runner will then be treated to views of East Lothian's spectacular coastline until they turn round just after Gosford House, heading back to Port Seton for the last person, who gets the glory; but before they go over the finish line, they will have to run 4.4 miles.

Miss Cutt, PE teacher at the school, said: "I think it is really wonderful to be bringing staff and students together to raise money for charity and also push ourselves out of our comfort zones because not everyone is sporty or a runner or even enjoys it, so it's great to get so many people involved.

"People's efforts have varied in some ways. There are some who run almost every single day but, for some students, they have had to start from scratch, so it has been a bit of a real mix of abilities.

"It is absolutely great for the school community that we are taking part in this, and for students collaborating with teachers to push each other out of our comfort zones."

East Lothian Courier: Cameron and Leo feel "very proud" to be representing the school in such a significant event. Pupils Cameron and Leo feel "very proud" to be representing the school in such a significant event

Pupil Cameron Donovan, whose favourite subject is computing, said: "It is great for the community by getting everyone involved, which is all about the belonging of the school, which is obviously the values. The school reached out right at the start and I knew I wanted to get involved.

"There is a good group of us going, with all of us being strong runners. It is great being part of such an amazing event and getting out in the community."

Leo Smith's favoured subject is physics and he said: "I am really looking forward to taking part, as staff and students are taking part together, outside of the school, which can create a real bond, and being able to run with your friends is a major plus.

"I feel really proud in taking part on behalf of the school, as it is a big deal. Everyone involved has worked so hard to raise money and we are all really happy to be involved."

The school has set up a JustGiving page, which can be found by clicking here.

Information on the route map can be found here.