On your marks for steps race

Mike Hall, from Hastings Runners, is again organising an event which is part of the Hastings Week celebrations and is hoping for a really good turnout of both runners and spectators.

You can still participate is this short but gruelling 1.066-mile run by signing up at the East Hastings Sea Angling Club adjacent to the Lifeboat Station on Sunday before 10.30am. The entry fee is £7.00 by cheque. All participants get a race memento, and there are various individual and team prizes.

There are many good vantage points to see the runners, who set off at 30-second intervals from the bottom of the Tamarisk steps. Those watching are urged to avoid standing on the steps for safety reasons.

Last year the fastest man was Paul Bennett, of Hastings Athletic Club, in seven minutes and 13 seconds, and the leading lady was Katherine Emery, of Hastings Runners, in nine minutes and six seconds. Some of the participants are considerably slower so that support is gratefully received.