ABOUT 400 runners put their best feet forward at the weekend to help develop sport in an impoverished African country.

The 5km fun run in the grounds of Durham University's Graham Sports Centre, at Maiden Castle on Saturday, was held to raise money for a project started by university students.

They formed the Wallace Group, which works with Sport in Action: Zambia, to improve the lives of Zambian children through sport.

Mollie Pearse, who is studying sport in the community and has visited Zambia, helped organise the event.

She said: "It was really successful. We had about 400 people, and there were a lot of sporting teams from the university taking part.

"On the Friday, we had an event for 1,200 local schoolchildren - a 900-metre run for the infants and one of about a mile for the juniors. That was successful, too, and the kids really enjoyed it.

"Last year was the first year we held the fun run, and we raised about £2,500. We were set to match that this year, or maybe top it.''

Mollie, who is planning to return to Zambia with the project, said that the fun run could become an annual event.

She added: "We have several other events planned, including charity cricket and rugby matches.''