MORE than 2,000 pupils took part in the inspirational Commonwealth Torch Run event.

Students from Woodingdean Primary School, Rudyard Kipling Primary School, Our Lady of Lords Catholic School, St Margaret Primary School, Saltdean Primary School and Long Hill High School took part in the run yesterday.

The schools are members of the Deans School Sports Partnership which organises special sporting events for pupils.

Thirty students represented ran from Woodingdean Primary School to Saltdean Primary School. They completed the run which totalled six-and-a-half miles.

Students stopped at each participating school, where pupils from the school would run three laps around their school.

Darren Hambrook, from Deans School Sports Partnership, said: “The event was a great success. All the schools’ students wore different colours to reflect the Olympic ring colours.

“The students ran across the Downs and on gravel tracks. They visited all the schools to pass on the torch and all the students did three laps around their own school.

“We want to thank our sponsors, Maslen Real Estate Agents and ArtPod.

“We want to create sporting opportunities to enrich children’s lives and health.

“The children started training in February. We also had staff members and parents taking part in the run. We want to thank all teachers and parents who helped make the event a successful one.

“One pupil said to me it was the most amazing thing he has done, and he was extremely proud of himself.”

PE teacher from Long Hill School, Nick Rolf, said: “The event wasn’t just about promoting health and exercise to the children, but it was also about sportsmanship.

“We encouraged children to work together to make the event happen.

“We taught them life skills, such as team work and listening to others, and also appreciating the environment around them.

“We also taught them the meaning of sportsmanship. All the children shook hands with one another.

“This was a fine example of community spirit.”