New event is runaway success

Runners came from as far away as Hertfordshire, Newquay and even Newcastle to compete in the inaugural Starfish Races, which included Bexhill’s first marathon.
The Starfish Marathon gets underway in Bexhill on Sunday morningThe Starfish Marathon gets underway in Bexhill on Sunday morning
The Starfish Marathon gets underway in Bexhill on Sunday morning

The charity event, devised by St Mary’s School & College and organised in collaboration with Bexhill Runners & Triathletes, proved very popular for runners and spectators alike on Sunday.

Four-time ITU world champion triathlete Faye McClelland was the special guest and presented the prizes to the winners of each event.

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She said: “I had an enjoyable day and it was a pleasure to be asked to give out the awards. The atmosphere was great, the awards and prizes were fab, and it seemed very well organised. All the competitors I met all seemed very positive about the race and were very kind to me.”

The event has so far raised more than £3,200 for St Mary’s to purchase additional equipment/aids/fund trips etc not covered by the educational authorities and there has been plenty of positive feedback from competitors.

Made up of a marathon, half marathon and marathon relay (for teams of four), the event took place on a 10.5k looped course that stretched from the west of Bexhill to the most easterly point along the picturesque seafront. Runners in the marathon had to complete four laps (eight lengths).

A spokesman for Bexhill Runners & Triathletes said: “We are proud to have jointly hosted the inaugural Bexhill Starfish Marathon & Races in aid of St Mary’s School.

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“We would like to thank all the organisers, marshals, Faye McClelland for presenting the prizes and the people of Bexhill for their support. We hope all the runners enjoyed the day.”

Results - marathon (men): 1st Lee Rogers (Invicta East Kent) 3:03:25, 2nd Marc Bayly (Newquay Road Runners) 3:08:08, 3rd Stuart Williamson (Farnham Runners) 3:22:00.

Half marathon (men): 1st Andy Masters (Lewes AC) 1:23:32, 2nd Dan Fisher 1:25:38, 3rd Dave Wood 1:33:12.

Half marathon (ladies): 1st Jenny Poulter 1:48:16, 2nd Tess Murray 2:04:50, 3rd Sally Lillian Curtis 2:05:10.

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Marathon relay: 1st BSF Spartans (James Boardman, Jemima Hilton Berry, Joe, Nathan Jay) 3:03:14, 2nd BRT Team Swift (Ali Marshman, Ben Evett, Martin Reynolds, Alex Mandryko) 3:04:03, 3rd BSF Burpees (Jacqueline Haas, Anna Kwiatkowska, Becci Forster Simmonds, Frank Keith) 3:53:00. Full results are at starfishraces.moonfruit.com

The day started with the 500m, 1k and 2k junior races. Amelia Mewett (Mermaid) and Phoenix Chandler (Octopus) were the fancy dress winners.

The race organisers said: “We would like to thank everyone who entered. The event would not have been possible without the volunteers who marshalled all day, local scout groups who with staff and pupils from St Mary’s manned the water stations, Milo Simmons (IT), Pip Parry and Dean Baker. We will all be back next year!”

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