Pupils at Sydney Russell School put the pedal to the metal in a race to win their coveted House Cup.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Sydney Russell School pupils compete in the second annual Bikeathon. Picture: Sydney Russell SchoolSydney Russell School pupils compete in the second annual Bikeathon. Picture: Sydney Russell School (Image: Sydney Russell School)

Teams representing each of the Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham secondary school’s five houses cycled for four and a half hours on Tuesday for the second annual Bikeathon.

Staff and students took turns on exercise bikes provided by a local gym, amid cheering pupils and adrenaline-pumping music.

“It was a great event that got the whole school buzzing,” said principal Janis Davis.

When the final whistle sounded at 3.30pm, officials found team Centaur had gone the distance and covered the most miles.

They picked up the precious prize of 100 points towards this year’s House Cup.

“This was an amazing victory for engagement and physical activity here at the school,” said Phoebe Darwin, the school’s enrichment programme coordinator.