Taking a victory lap

The Education Minister’s Running Challenge has wrapped up its third year, with a presentation event taking place at Parliament House to celebrate the students and schools who finished ahead of the pack.

The annual challenge encourages students and staff to engage in physical activity and develop a healthy and active lifestyle to enhance their wellbeing and learning.  

In 2025, more than 4,900 participants from 422 schools took part in the challenge, which ran from July to September.

A total of 52,790 activities were logged over the nine-week challenge, which amounted to a combined total of 2,110,464 minutes, or just over four years.

This year, students and staff could also log cycling and scooting activities.  

One standout participant was Year 2 student Finlay, winner of the cycle and scooting category.  

After starting racing at Karratha BMX this year with his lucky number 777 on his bike plate, he embraced the challenge by riding or scooting to school every day.

Finlay proudly brought his lucky bike plate to the presentation event at Parliament House for a special photo with Education Minister Sabine Winton. 

Victory in the mobility category this year was taken out by Year 6 student Joanne from St Kieran Catholic School.  

Joanne has spinal muscular atrophy, a muscle-wasting disability, and enjoyed getting outdoors for her commute to school as she worked toward her goal.  

Not only did she exceed her goal, but she also reduced her carbon footprint by leaving her accessible van at home. 

Students from Oberthur Primary School, Southern River College, Peg’s Creek Primary School, Mount Barker Community College and St Kieran Catholic Primary School were named individual prize winners for their efforts, while Anzac Terrace Primary School and All Saints’ College took out the primary and secondary school categories respectively. 

The top 100 participating students will also receive a medal for their dedication to the challenge and induction into the 100 Club.