**Updated 29th April 13

The ‘Withy Wonders' – four members of the School's teaching staff – lived up to their name by putting in a fantastic performance in the Greater Manchester Marathon Relay Team Challenge on Sunday 28th April.

Ms Jane Maher, Mr Andrew Parry, Dr Cristina Vilela and Mr Ben Langlois ran the 26 mile course in an aggregate time of just three hours and 14 minutes, coming within an ace of second place.

Said seasoned distance runner Ms Maher: "We achieved third place but we were just pipped for second – if we'd sorted out our relay changeovers a bit better, then we would have come second."

The race began and finished at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium with changeovers in Sale and Timperley. Mr Parry ran the first leg of 10 kilometres; Dr Vilela the next 8k; Ms Maher the third stage of 11k and Mr Langlois the final 12k.

Relay teams competed amongst almost 5,000 athletes running the full course. The average time for individual runners was four hours eight minutes, though the race winner took just two hours and 20 minutes.

Ms Maher added: "It was great to see [former WGS Headmistress] Mrs Pickering amongst the competitors, looking extremely fit and well."

The Withington team's running efforts were aimed at raising money for the School's Enhancing Opportunities Annual Fund and The Christie Hospital. A Just Giving page has been set up for anyone who would like to support them.


Sponsorship through their Just Giving page is still open.