Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Hastings Half Marathon and Saga Mini Run. Sunday 24th March 2013
W/C 10th February, we will start posting out the first 3000 Race Packs for the Half Marathon, and the first 100 in the Mini Run. These Race Packs contain YOUR own personal Race Number, which has a computer chip incorporated into it, and cannot be used for anyone else. Please look after your Race Number as it is unique to YOU. In past years, Race Numbers have been destroyed by such as, The Partner, the Dog, the Cat, the Baby, Mice, Fire, mistakenly put in rubbish bin, or simply lost. Often an entrant has moved house, or even given us the wrong address, so The Number never arrives. Included in Your Race pack, is full information on The Event, and a Sponsor Form, and details of how to raise money 'online'. So Choose your Charity or needy cause. Later entrants will be sent their Race Packs on a weekly basis, with the last posting on Tuesday 19th March. To ensure that your name is listed in the Race Programme for Race Day, you must have entered by 10th March. Entrants in The Sussex County Half Marathon Championships, must enter by two weeks prior to The Event, to qualify for The Championships. Don't leave it too late to enter. Enter now at www.hastings-half.co.uk Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race Director, Hastings Half Marathon Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
Hastings Half Marathon at Number 4 for 2012.
It is interesting to see that the Hastings Half is at Number Four in the Top Ten of Half Marathons, as issued by Runners World Magazine. The positions are decided by readers ratings made 'online', which have a minimum number of 25 comments. It is interesting that Hastings is The Top Road Half Marathon, and the Top South East Event. The top Three Excellent Events were 1. Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon, 2. Trionium Leith Hill Half Marathon, 3. Water of Life Half Marathon. It looks like Hastings has lost its 'Toughest Half' Tag, with the Leith Hill Event well established as the Toughest. What is not in doubt though, is that as a Road Race, circumnavigating Hastings, the crowd support is second to none at Hastings. The organisers would like to thank all those contributors to the 'online' site, for taking the trouble and time to give their feed back. The Hastings Half Marathon is on Sunday 24th March 2013. Hastings has been popular with visitors since 1066. Enter at www.hastings-half.co.uk Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
Get Up and Get Out and Get Fit for 2013.
With Christmas and New Year indulgences now over, this is the time to give yourself a Target for 2013. What better challenge than to aim to take part in The Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday 24th March 2013. Enter now at www.hastings-half.co.uk, and start training for The Big Day. There are two training programmes on the Half Marathon Web site, which both give you a steady approach to The Event. If in any doubt about your fitness or ability to cover the 13.1 miles, certainly check yourself out with your Medical Centre. Then get a good pair of Running Shoes! Why not suggest to a friend or work colleague to join you, and if you wish, aim to raise monies for a Charity or needy cause which is close to your heart. You can also call in at Hastings Runners at Horntye Park Sports Centre, any weekday evening, for a friendly run, at 6.30p.m. All abilities are very welcome, and you wil find a level to suite you. It is a simple 'No Brainer' You will get yourself Fitter and Healthier, and enjoy yourself at the same time. You cannot find a Better Event that The Hastings Half, with the Fantastic Crowd Support and entertainment on route, and excellent organisation. Enter now at www.hastings-half.co.uk Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race Director, Hastings Half Marathon. Organised by The Lions Club of Hastings. Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
Great to See Hastings United doing so Well.
After last night's Dramatic victory by a Penalty Shoot Out(5-4),in the FA Cup Replay against Harrogate Town, Hastings United are through to the Third Round with an away Match against Middlesborough on 5th January. It just shows that Hastings is not just famous for a Defeat in 1066, but now have a Winning Soccer Team to be Proud of. The next Big Battle of Hastings(unless Hastings forces a replay against Middlesborough) will be for the 29th Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday 24th March 2013. Enter now at www.hastings-half.co.uk For the Hastings Experience. 14/12/12 Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
Rambler Coaches to the Rescue of Hastings Half Marathon
The local Company Rambler Coaches has come to the help of next year's Hastings Half Marathon organisers(Hastings Lions Club),when the established Stagecoach Organisation, who had previously supplied buses for the last 25 years, had to pull out due to increased demands on their services. The Lions Club would like to Thank Stagecoach for their Fantastic support over the years, which has been of great benefit to The Event, especially with the introduction of the hugely popular Park and Ride Scheme on Race Day, which now caters for over three hundred vehicles. Upon hearing about the problem, Colin Rowland, owner of Rambler Coaches was quick to offer their Services. They had previously supplied one Coach for the Start/Finish area on Race Day, but were happy to supply a further number of Busses and Coaches to cover the Race Area, and the Park and Ride operations. This has been a terrific response by Rambler Coaches, which at this stage of planning, could have been a problem for the organisers, but by jumping into such prompt action has quickly solved a possible serious problem. Race Director Eric Hardwick M.B.E. stated his grateful Appreciation to Rambler Coaches for their prompt offer. The date of the 2013 Half Marathon is Sunday 24th March, and entries are open at www.hastings-half.co.uk Eric Hardwick. M.B.E. Race director Hastings Half Marathon Organised by Hastings Lions Club 9/12/12 Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
Eric's Birthday Surprise.
Eric Hardwick M.B.E., Race Director of the Hastings Half Marathon, had a surprise when attending Saturday's Match between Charlton and Brighton at The Valley,when He saw a photo and an article about him in the 20 year Souvenir Programme. His grand daughter Isabelle(10) had arranged it as a 70th birthday Treat, and took him with a Coach party from Catsfield School, and by the sound of it stitched him up with the programme content. Apparently Eric lived in North Kent as a youngster, and often watched Charlton at The Valley, and recalls watching greats as Stanley Matthews and Sam Bartram playing in that era. Upon moving to Hastings later in life he became a Seagulls Fan, but still has a soft spot for Charlton. So it was with mixed emotions that he watched the Match amongst the home supporters. A 2-2 All Draw was probably a good result in the ciricumstances. In the page article in the programme, it mentioned Eric receiving the M.B.E., and The Hastings Half Marathon, and included a photo of Eric with Her Majesty The Queen. The Headline was suitably 'Eric is Hard pressed to pledge Allegiance' But Eric will still be supporting Hastings United in their FA Cup reply on Thursday. EH. 8/12/12 Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
Hastings Half Marathon Challenge.
At a 70th Birthday Lunch for Race Director Eric Hardwick last week, which was attended by Former Winner Derek Stevens(1985 and 1986), a Challenge was issued by Derek to Eric. To celebrate the 30th Hastings Half in 2014, Derek Stevens said he would make a Comeback and run the Race again, if Eric would also do the same! Derek and Eric had both previously run The Event six times, but due to various injuries had not taken part in recent years. Watch This Space! Eric also received Birthday Cards from former winners Eamonn Martin(Hastings and London in 1993), and Paul Evans(1991),which nearly brought him to tears. Eric must be one of the longest serving Race Directors still going strong today. An interesting aspect of entries coming in steadily for next year's Event on 24th March 2013, is that where the first Hastings Half had 14% entries by Female Entrants, for next year the percentage is running at 48%. It just shows that 'Girl' Power is being very popular these days. Also of interest is that entries for next year are at present running at a 20% increase for this time of the year. Is this the Olympic Legacy? Enter now on www.hastings-half.co.uk Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race Director Hastings Half Marathon 12th November 2012. Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012 29th Hastings Half Marathon on the 24th March 2013. Also Hosting the Sussex Athletics Half Marathon Championships Enter now at Visit http://www.hastings-half.co.uk/
