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Active students and teachers may have been on lockdown, but it did not stop them from taking a trip across the world.

As part of a lockdown challenge, Mark Hall Academy inspired its community to take a virtual trip to Tokyo.

The mission was set at the start of lockdown for students and staff to walk, run and cycle the 9,524km to Tokyo, the next host of the Olympic Games.

Sasha Kelly, head of PE, said: “We have reached Tokyo!

“We actually surpassed the 9,524km we needed by just under 700km, so it really was an absolutely phenomenal effort by our staff and students.”

Year 7 student Lily Johnston said: “Doing the Tokyo-Trek Challenge pushed me to get out of the house and do some exercise. I particularly enjoyed taking my dog Bertie for long walks.”

PE teacher Nathan Hoole-Jackson, who won the staff competition by completing 356.69km, said: “The Tokyo-Trek Challenge was a great opportunity to get students away from their screens during lockdown.

“Our main focus as a PE department was to try and keep students as fit and healthy as possible, in a time where they lead, mainly, sedentary lifestyles.

“This was also a great opportunity to keep myself fit, to prepare myself for the return of the team sports I play.”

The challenge has seen an element of competition, between year groups, between staff and between Year 7 and 8 and Burnt Mill Academy students, all keen to reach the target the quickest.

Mark Hall pipped Burnt Mill to the post, recording a total of 5,084km compared to 5,067.09km.