Pupils at Dean Hole Church of England Primary School, Caunton, cheer on Newark runner Netty Stevens

Children from Dean Hole Church of England Primary School, Caunton, lined the street to cheer on Netty Stevens as she attempted to run the virtual Ashby 20-mile race.

Netty, who became blind overnight in 2000, runs with a guide runner.

This race needed two guides ­— Paul Davidson and Bob White.

Bob said: “It was so we could keep up with her.”

Netty started her race ­— two ten-mile laps ­— on Maplebeck Road so passed the school during the warm-up.

The children surprised Netty with instruments, streamers and cheerleading pom-poms.

Netty thanked them for the awesome cheering and instruments, saying that although she couldn’t see them she definitely heard them.

She said it meant a lot and made her feel very special.

Netty finished the race in 3 hours 9 minutes, a personal best by 16.28 minutes.