A Dumfries primary school teacher has embarked on a challenge to inspire her pupils to be more active after being selected to represent her local authority at the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run.

Skye Sarahs may be no stranger to long distance running, but the sports-mad runner is hoping her endeavours will encourage her class to lead a healthy lifestyle.

After competing at the event last year, the 25-year-old is hoping to run her fastest-ever time despite being forced out of action for two months with a knee injury.

“I’ve always been a runner and I am a member of a local running club. I’ve been running all my life and completed a few half marathons already this year,” Skye said.

“It’s an event I am really looking forward to. It’s a great challenge and it’s a great city to run in - there’s lots of new things to look at and it’s an exciting event to be a part of.

“I try to get the children out of the classroom as much and possible and keep them active. We try and do the school daily mile and I join in with all the kids.

“I want to be an inspiration to them and encourage them to be active and lead a healthy life.

“If I can show to the kids that I can complete this challenge, then hopefully they will be interested in running themselves.”

Bank of Scotland, which sponsors the Great Scottish Run taking place on September 30, launched the Community Challenge to help get Scotland active.

The campaign has aims to recruit one runner from each of the 32 local authorities in Scotland to take on a ‘10 week to 10k’ running challenge.

Each runner will embark on their own personal journey in a “10 week to 10k” challenge, receiving a personalised training programme by an expert coach in the weeks leading up to the run, on September 30.

Hoping the atmosphere can guide her through to the finish line, Skye says she is raring to go and add another medal to her collection.

“My preparations have gone really well,” she added. “The weather has been really good in Scotland for a change, so I have been able to get out and about.

“The atmosphere will be amazing, it really helps you out and gives you that extra motivation to get across the finish line.

“There are points where you feel like you are hitting a wall and the crowd pushes you on all the way to the finish.”

Bank of Scotland is celebrating its 10th year as proud partner of the Great Scottish Run and for the second-year running will support runners from communities across Scotland on their 10 weeks to 10k challenge in the Bank of Scotland Community Challenge. For more information, visit greatscottishrun.com/community-challenge