Flash Gordon wins half marathon

Mugi led the Hastings Lions Club-organised event almost all the way, eventually finishing 18 seconds clear of Ethiopian runner-up Seyoum Nigussie.

He became the 15th Kenyan winner in the last 20 years, although his time of 68 minutes exactly was the second slowest winning time in the event’s history.

Orlando Edwards just held off 2006 winner Michael Coleman for third place and the leading UK athlete, while Hastings AC’s Dan Anderson was an excellent ninth.

Kenya celebrated their fourth Hastings Half Marathon male and female double as Rebby Koech clinched the women’s race. Top domestic runner Lucy MacAlister was second.

The race was held in ideal conditions of next to no wind with the sun trying to break through the cloud and the crowds once again came out in large numbers.

The Mini-Run for children aged 11-16 - which took place in between the start and finish of the main event - was won by Monty Wilson. Louise Nash was the first girl.

Provisional results – top 10 men: 1 Gordon Mugi (Kenya) 1:08:00, 2 Seyoum Nigussie (Ethiopia) 1:08:18, 3 Orlando Edwards (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) 1:08:30, 4 Michael Coleman (Medway & Maidstone AC) 1:08:34, 5 Tom Collins (Medway & Maidstone AC) 1:09:52, 6 Martin Cox (Salford Harriers) 1:10:33, Duncan Marsden (Bow Valley Harriers) 1:10:35, 8 Ben Reynolds (Thames Hare & Hounds) 1:10:46, 9 Daniel Anderson (Hastings AC) 1:11:41, 10 Robbie James (Lewes AC) 1:12:04.

Top 5 women: 1 Rebby Koech (Kenya) 1:15:13, 2 Lucy MacAlister (Bristol & West AC) 1:15:50, 3 Kidist Yichenku (Ethiopia) 1:17:25, 4 Amy Chalk (Bristol & West AC) 1:17:35, 5 Clare Elms (Dulwich Runners AC) 1:19:44.

See Friday’s Hastings Observer for full coverage of the event, including a complete list of finishers.