MORE than 700 students took part in an annual festive race when every member of a senior school lined up.

Hurstpierpoint College’s annual Cross Country run saw a huge turnout that made sure the day was a great success.

Pupils and staff took part in one of the three separate running courses on offer, but Hurst’s Santa Fun Run course proved to be the most popular.

The event started with a whole school warm-up to Christmas music provided by the college’s jazz and rock bands.

Each of the eleven college houses provided four junior and four senior runners for the 5km elite team run across the school fields.

Noticeable performances came from Stan Robinson, who was the overall winner, Eddie Firth, Liv Holder and Sky OShaughnessy.

Head of girls’ games and organiser Rebecca Scott said: “It was great to see that, despite the weather conditions, every member of the school was taking part in the event.

“It is these types of events that make Hurst the school it is.”