Strongest ever field for half marathon

THE highly-acclaimed Hastings Half Marathon takes place on Sunday March 13 and race director Eric Hardwick believes he has assembled the strongest field in the event's 21-year history.

The usual smattering of top draw Kenyan athletes will be joined by a far stronger domestic line-up after the Hastings Lions-organised event, the UK's top ranked half marathon, was awarded the AAA of England, UK Inter-Counties and South of England Half Marathon Championships.

Fred Mogaka is back to defend his title and Simon Kasimili will go in search of his third Hastings crown. The women's race has attracted some leading English runners, although no elite overseas competitors had signed up at the time of going to press.

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"It's definitely the strongest field we've ever assembled," Hardwick said. "Because of the Championships, there's a high quality of runner and there will be a lot more people finishing quicker this year."

Not only is it the strongest field, it will also be the largest because entries have now reached the limit of 4,500 and only a few may be accepted on the day. The previous best was 4,380 last year and thousands of pounds will be raised for charity by the many fun-runners. The race gets under way from Sea Road, St Leonards, at 10.30am.

The 13.2 mile course, roughly speaking, circuits the town and it is famed for its hills, with the steepest inclines all occurring in the first half of the race. Much of the second half is downhill, although it culminates with a four-mile long flat stretch into the prevailing wind along the seafront.