About 80 students from Hamilton Girls' High School are getting ready to compete in the Solid Energy Huntly Half Marathon on May 22.

Hamilton Girls' High School PE teacher Gayle Walker says the number of students participating in this year's event will be the largest the school has had. "This is our fourth year of being involved with the Huntly Half Marathon. Each year our entries are growing."

Year 11 and Year 12 students are expected to participate as part of the school curriculum, but Walker says participating gives students a sense of achievement. "A lot of them are very unsure as to whether they are capable of completing a half marathon. Every year they surprise themselves and are very proud of their achievements."

Students are required to start training early so they're fit and prepared for race day. "We start working on their fitness as soon as Term 1 starts. Our approach is gradual to minimise injury. It is important that the students don't over train which is why we keep a close eye on their training log books."

Walker says training for a half marathon can be tough on young bodies. "The Huntly Half is more about participation than it is about competition. In the past we haven't had a problem with students being able to complete the half marathon. Each student is running her own race and completes it to the best of her ability and fitness level," she says.

The students are following the training guide on the Hunlty Half website and spend lunch times and class times training around the Hamilton lake.

Though no student has been identified as a running super star just yet, they will all be marked on their completion time. Walker has seen first-hand the pride students have when they complete the race. "They have said how proud they are to be given the opportunity to complete such an event."

PE teachers Megan McGuire and Caroline Reddish will also take part in the event. "The students really admire the teachers that get out there and do it with them," Walker says. "The PE staff have participated for the past four years."

Walker says students are often inspired by their achievement in the Huntly Half and continue running in other events. "Each year there is a handful of eager students that carry on doing other events around Waikato after Huntly. For example the Whangamata 10km or 21km run, Round the Bridges 12km, and the Hamilton Half Marathon. As a teacher this is pleasing to see that you have inspired these young women to carry on being physically active."
The 2011 Solid Energy Huntly Half Marathon and 2XU 10km run takes place on Sunday May 22, 2011. The annual event, which starts and finishes at the Huntly Park Domain, has $15,000 worth of merit and spot prizes on offer, including $1000 each for the first female runner and first male runner home.