ORGANISERS have branded this year’s Southbourne Fast and Flat Race a huge success.

Now in its fifth year the event raised just under £5,000 for St Katharine’s CE Primary School, which will be put towards the cost of a new ICT suite.

Guest of honour Southampton and England footballer Adam Lallana added a touch of celebrity to the event and launched the children’s fun run.

James Lewis, race organiser, said the atmosphere on the day was fantastic. He said: “It went really well.

“We had the best part of 600 runners take part – around 500 for the two main events and around 100 for the children’s fun run.

“We haven’t got the final figures just yet but it looks like we’ve raised just shy of £5,000 for St Katharine’s School, which is the lowest funded school in Bournemouth per pupil.”

Participants tackled either the 10km or 5km race from Southbourne to Boscombe promenade.

This year’s event also featured a wheelchair race.