Cash boost for half marathon

The chief alteration is a unique rise in prize money, solely for 2004. The first man and first woman across the line will each receive 2,000 - double the traditional figure while the top UK athletes, sponsored by Manor Insurance, will net 500.

A move of greater pertinence to the ever-formidable local contingent is the inauguration of the Cinque Ports Cup which has been introduced by Mayor Cllr Phil Scott. This new category will see a trophy presented to the coastal area which has the highest three men and women finishers. A similar prize will be up for grabs among Hastings' four twin towns - Schwerte, Dordrecht, Oudenaarde and Bethune.

Race organisers hope to parade all of the event's past winners although they are having difficulty in tracking down the whereabouts of Tony Graham (1987 winner), David Lewis (1988), Paul Davies-Hale (1989 and 1990) and Bronwen Cardy-Wise (1999).

The solid band of runners who have competed in all 19 previous stagings, including Steve Uzzell who has already thrown his hat in the ring for the Sunday March 14 event, will receive named shirts and a special brass award while the many volunteer race day helpers will earn a memento.

In reaction to the success of the "race train", deployed for the first time this year, organisers are endeavouring to set up trains arriving from the east and west for the event which is doubling up as the SCAAA Championships.

Entry forms are available now from sports shops/centres, Observer offices or via the website at www.hastings-half.co.uk