PUPILS at d’Overbroecks College pulled on their running shoes yesterday as 2002 Commonwealth Games 400m relay silver medallist Lesley Owusu gave them advice on how to succeed in both sport and life.

The veteran runner, 35, told the girls about her six keys to success and then ran a coaching session with them at Jordan Hill playing fields in Cutteslowe.

Pupil Sandra Brinster, 13, said: “It was an amazing story. Lesley came to England from Ghana when she was young and did not speak English.

“Her brother encouraged her to run and organised a competition against the fastest girl in the school.

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“When Lesley won she knew she could be a successful athlete if she persevered.

“We were all inspired and are now working on a sports project building on the teamwork we experienced today.”

Fellow student, Clemmie Gillespie said: “We learnt a lot about motivation and what it takes to succeed.

“We will all be supporting Lesley and will be wearing our signed T-shirts.”

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