The youngsters were part of the team of 272 runners from The Armidale School (TAS) who completed the event, which with almost 70,000 finishers, is the biggest race of its type in the world.

The largest school team in the world’s largest fun run by a country mile, the northern students certainly made their presence felt along the 14km route.

Those taking part from the Upper Hunter included Rorie Chambers (Bundella), Ardie Curtis (Coolah), Phoebe Ellis (Coolah), Will Ellis (Coolah), Thomas Forsythe (Scone), Yann Garrivet (Coolah), Ashton Hall (Scone), April Johnson (Scone), Toby McMaster (Coolah), Jordyn Melville (Ellerston), Oliver Metcalf (Scone), Molly Northam (Scone), Bridie Ryan (Merriwa), Hede Sharpe (Blandford), Tom Scifleet (Binnaway) and Thomas Stinson (Willow Tree).

Fastest of the group was Forsythe, who crossed the line in a time of 1:14.13. 

The bulk of the TAS runners finished inside 1:45.00.

The TAS team raised the profile of Batyr, which seeks to normalise discussions about mental health, particularly in young people.

“Almost half of TAS students from Years 6 to 11 entered,” TAS organiser Jim Pennington said.

“That huge interest in being part of something that is so much bigger than just themselves says something about their courage and willingness to pursue a personal challenge.

“It’s a great credit to them that a school, from 600km away from the city, can end up fielding one of the largest teams in a world-recognised event.”