The 31st. running of the Hastings Half Marathon is attracting its usual cross section entry, from fast African runners and top class British athletes to fun runners and fund raising groups from all over the country.
The Hastings Half Marathon takes place every March around the streets of Hastings. Starting in 1985 and organised by The Hastings Lions Club the race has become very popular, some even call it ‘The Great South Run’ with 5,000 entries annually. It has been voted best race of its kind in the UK for three years. The 31st edition of the Half-Marathon will take place on 22 March 2015.
The course round the streets of Hastings, takes in a strong climb and fast decent to the famous ‘Old Town’ and fishing village of Hastings, with a three mile flat finish along the seafront to the chequered flag. Although tough for the first part of the course, runners have produced some very fast times, the last two-thirds is flat or downhill, and then a final dash along the promenade with thousands cheering the serious contestants and ‘fun runners’ home.
The chart opposite, prepared by the Association of Road Racing Statisticians, gives all the previous winners, men and women, except for the 1991 Ladies winner. Can any of our readers cast any light on the omission and come up with a name and a time? Many local runners are taking part this year. One team group of four, Jon Pavovani, Carl Fraser, PCSO Dan Bevan and Will Barden are hoping to make lots of money for Rother Responders. Dan Bevan, famous PCSO from Rye and Will Barden have run in the event before, but Jon and Carl are new to the event and are reportedly very apprehensive about the how they will respond to the challenge.
The Pestalozzi Running Team are running the Hastings Half Marathon for Pestalozzi International Village Trust because they want to make a difference. Last year the raised over £2000 – This time they have set their target on more than double that amount.
The race starts at 10.30 am. with up to 5,000 runners setting off from the seafront. Many thousands of spectators will line the 13 mile route.
There is still time to enter this years event. Entries close on 19 March and cost £27 for unaffiliated runners and £25 for affiliated competitors. Contact information can be obtained from:
Eric Hardwick MBE at Hastings Lions Club, 7 Laton Road, Hastings TN34 2ET Tel: 01424 728941 Email : [email protected]
“Rye’s Own” March 2015
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