Beer Primary School staff have praised the community efforts that helped them raise more than £1,500 in the Blazer run.

The event was brought forward from September so more people could attend, and raised twice as much as last year’s inaugural run.

Beer headmaster Martin O’Mahony finished 27th, beating his rival, the Axe Valley Community College head teacher Martin Smith, who finished in 47th place in the 10km.

“Although the PTFA raised over £1,500, the positive publicity and reflection on the school that the event brings is priceless,” said Martin.

He said it was an ‘incredible privilege’ to have had the interest of Grizzly run veterans, and proved staging the race earlier in the year had the desired effect.

“The event raised a staggering amount – now we’ve got enough for an outside play area for the Key Stage One children,” said the head teacher.

The school is commissioning a new play area, which will be designed by the children and built over the summer holiday.

Speaking about his school’s challenge against Axe Valley, Martin said: “We’re both quite keen runners, we decided to have a little challenge between us to support the school.”

He and his team of parents and teachers were the first to have their names added to a new commemorative shield.

They will go head-to-head with the Axe Valley Community College again in October’s Minster Challenge.

The Beer Primary School PTFA thanked their sponsors, Pecorama, and all the other land owners who opened up for the running track, as well as all the many supporters who lined the route.

The run was organised by route master Richard Hales from the Axe Valley Runners.

Full race results are available at www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk