Loreto Preparatory School's talented young runners got a leg up from iconic long-distance star Eilish McColgan when she held an Olympic master class.
The top independent preparatory school on Dunham Road in Altrincham has produced a conveyor belt of county, regional and national running talent and the current generation of girls are as enthusiastic as ever.
Sports Coordinator Antonia Gillespie, a keen runner herself whose daughter Ella, a former pupil, is a county runner and Sale Harrier, said: "The running club is more popular than ever so that I now have to hold two sessions each week so we can accommodate all of the 60 girls who want to take up running."
Eilish, who was a 5,000-metre finalist in the Beijing Olympics in 2016, and a silver medallist in the European Championships in 2018, is now gearing her training for the 5 and 10K at Tokyo 2020 then "moving up more realistically" she added: "to the marathon at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2024."
She gave the girls a simple mantra "Do your own thing."
"I wasn't the fastest in school. Indeed, I only earned my first GB vest at the age of 21, so don't become too consumed with your times and don't worry about how the people around you are performing because we all develop at different rates."
Eilish added: "If you are really good at running then that's fantastic but show the same determination to improve in whatever you choose to do in life, whether ts sport, music, singing, dancing or academic endeavour."
Eilish, who is now 29 and the daughter of Liz and Peter McColgan both international runners, added: "They actually shielded me from the limelight ad it was my P.E. teacher who first really encouraged me so I am thrilled to see this sort of initiative at Loreto Preparatory School."
Originally from Dundee but now living in Didsbury, Eilish concluded: "So if you feel you have a passion, get out there and join a club and get running. South Manchester has some of the very best. Who knows were it will take you?"
Antonia Gillespie said: "It's great honour to welcome Eilish. The girls have seen her running for GB and were thrilled to have a genuine star in their midst."
"At Loreto Prep we believe running is a life skill, which helps to instil resilience, determination and the strength to keep going as well as developing a fit mind and body. It works for us; our girls come to school with beaming smiles, looking fit and ready for whatever the day will bring."