Staff and students were successful in cycling 852 kilometres – the equivalent of going to Glastonbury and back, twice – on exercise bikes in a school competition supported by Better Gym. Sydney Russell’s five houses, Centaur, Dragon, Griffin, Pegasus and Phoenix, all had cyclists peddling like crazy for five and a half hours as each house tried to cover the distance from the school to the home of Britain’s most famous festival in Glastonbury.

Each house nominated students and staff to take it in turns on the high tech exercise bikes brought over by Better Gym, based at the Barking Sporthouse and Gym on Lodge Avenue. The event, designed to engage students in healthy activities and promote active lifestyles was a huge hit as the school foyer temporarily turned into an Olympic-style arena.

“The students and staff really got into it. We had motivating music, and members of all the house’s came through to support their reps.”

“There were cheerleader type dancing, others shouting motivational remarks. It was a great event that got the whole school buzzing,” said Ms Janis Davis, Principal of Sydney Russell.

Split over six sessions to allow every year group to compete, the day ended with a ‘free for all’ session when staff from each house could also get involved.

“It was great fun. I don’t normally cycle, and nor do many of the students who got involved, so it was wonderful to see them doing something active and healthy like this,” said Vice Principal, Fiona Abankwah, who was peddling for Centaur.

“I never cycle, but having just done two kilometres … that was fun. I might even take up cycling for real!” Said an exhausted Sarahana C., Year 11 student and House Captain for Griffin.

In the end, none of the Houses made it to Glastonbury in the five and half hours, but top of the league was Pegasus who managed to peddle 178km, just 37km short of Glastonbury. Their reward; 100 precious house points. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the other houses with only 14 kilometres separating them, every house was awarded points.

“This was a great victory for engagement here at the school. We are really excited about how well the students did and the fact that they were so excited about taking part in something so active and challenging. I can’t wait to arrange another!” explained Phoebe Darwin, the school’s Enrichment Programme Coordinator.

The presence of Better Gym meant, many students were also signed up for membership and the various activities at the centre, ensuring the healthy lifestyle pledge went beyond the Bikathon.