The organisers of The Hastings Half Marathon, The Lions Club of Hastings,
are always pleased to hear good things about The Event, but we are also
quite prepared to stand up and Apologise if some part of the arrangements
fails.
In this case we offer a BIG APOLOGY to all those Athletes who had to wait so
long for the return Bus back to the Park and Ride Site after Their Run. In
very cold conditions we agree this was unacceptable and are very sorry that
this happened.
It was not the fault of The Bus Company, and we are sorry that the Bus
Driver took so much stick and abuse.
In ten years of this successful(325 cars parked this year) Scheme(approx one
tenth of entrants), we have only ever used one bus for the return journey,
and have never had an adverse comment.
Obviously, in such cold conditions, runners were a lot quicker wanting to
get back to their cars, and any waiting time was a serious problem. If we
had been advised about this at the time, we could have got the free taxi
Service to help out, which some runners actually did think of and were able
to take advantage of. Some decided to go the near by Bo Peep Pub nearby to
keep warm rather than que in the cold.
We will certainly look at improving this Free Service to Runners for next
year, and take on board the comments we have received.
It was a shame to leave a 'sour taste' at the end of an otherwise Great
Event, and trust that Runners will forgive us for the situation.
Once again, please accept our profuse Apologies.
Eric Hardwick M.B.E. Race director.
Hastings Half Marathon.
Organised by the Hastings Lions Club.
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 was certainly the only place to be on Sunday, for its 29th Event.
With the rest of the country suffering from adverse weather, not a drop of snow at Hastings, but it was cold but clean weather.
The weather did put some entrants off taking part, but still 3375 started at 10:30am
The race up front was one for the best for years, with at one point a chance of a rare British winner with Dean Lacey (Cambridge) battling out the lead with Peter Emase (Kenya). The Kenyan only just hanging on to win by 10 seconds.
This split the Kenyan challenge with Matthew Kumatai coming third.
The Ladies race was dominated by Polline Wanijku (Kenyan).
The Sussex County Champions were James Baker and Emily Proto, coming in 5th and 2nd in their respective categories.
The Top Finishers:-
Male
1. Peter Emase (Kenya)
2. Dean Lacey (Cambridge)
3. Matthew Kumatai
4. Hailu Million (Ethiopia)
5. James Baker (Chichester)
Female
1. Polline Wanijku (Kenya)
2. Emily Proto
3. Emma Richards
4. Amanda Henry
5. Samantha Alvarez
Sussex Athletics County Championships:-
Male
1. James Baker (Chichester) Champion.
2. James Mountford (H.A.C.)
3. Daniel Anderson (H.A.C.)
Female
1. Emily Proto Champions
2. Emma Richards
3. Samantha Alvarez
All the runners should be congratulated for tackling the tough event in cold conditions with an easterly wind making it feel a lot colder at certain parts of the route. But at least it blew the Athletes home for the final three miles.
The real heroes for the day though must be the hundreds of volunteer
helpers, and the thousands of spectators lining the route, who were probably as cold as it could be, not let down the runners and the reputation of Hastings as The Best Half Marathon in the UK.
It is expected that £150,000 at least will be raised by the thousands of charity runners who also braved the conditions. Well done to them!
For full details go to web site www.hastings-half.co.uk and click on
Sportsystems.
Eric Hardwick M.B.E.
Race director
Proud and Honoured to be Carrying The Olympic Torch at Hastings on 17th July 2012
Organised by The Hastings Lions Club
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/
It is expected that the Kenyan Challenge will continue, with Matthew Kimutai
and Peter Emase battling it out for victory, but watch Ethiopian Hailu
Million who is a vastly improving athlete, and could split the Kenyans.
Polloine Wanyjiku (Kenya) is the outstanding female athlete, and I see no one
able to beat her.
The Sussex County Half Marathon championships, for which over 320 runners
have qualified, will be contested by hot favourite James Baker (Chichester)
RN 1143,
Who is the most prolific and successful runner in Sussex, but it is hoped
that local athlete Daniel Anderson RN 3157, will give him a Race, and both
be in the top ten overall places. Also watch for the evergreen Jamie Larkin
RN 3158, and the improving James Mountford RN 2566,for both County and local
awards.
The top female athlete looks to be Samantha Alvarez RN. 50, who could do the
double of county and local victories, and be in top five on day.
Watch out for Pete Prescott (2147) carrying his Olympic Torch.
More bands are lining the route than ever this year, to give all the
participants the best possible support and encouragement. And with over 150
charities / needy causes represented thousands of pounds are expected to be
raised.
Lots of fancy dress and interesting characters and items to add to the
atmosphere.
Late entries are still coming in.Enter 'online at www.hastings-half.co.uk
but you will have to collect your number on race morning. Come early.
Eric Hardwick M.B.E.
Race Director,
Hastings Half Marathon.
19th March 2013
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/
