Sussex Marathon runs out of Battle

Event organisers Team Lifestyle are moving the 26.2-mile run to Heathfield for 2012.

Natasha Fielden, of TL Sports Events, said: “The race has always been on a rural course through scenic lanes and both of those areas have got that.

“But we’re looking to grow the event over the years, and we’re looking for somewhere where we don’t have to close off major A roads and encounter difficulty with traffic.”

The inaugural Sussex Marathon started and finished at Claverham Community College on April 3 this year. The entry limit of 500 was reached several weeks in advance and the 319 finishers came from all over the UK.

Race winner James Mountford said at the time: “I thought it was good. It took a lot of organising and things, but I thought they dealt with it pretty well.”

Runner-up Steven Nimmo described it as “fantastic” and leading lady Sam Alvarez thought it was “brilliant” and went on to say that she would recommend it to others.

“It was the first time that we had done the event and we learn from every event that we do,” continued Fielden. “We had lots of positive feedback from the athletes.”

The entry limit for next year’s Sussex Marathon has been increased to 1,000 and the organisers are hoping to up that figure still further in years to come.

Discussions have taken place with local parish councils in the Heathfield area and organisers are in the process of putting together a provisional route.

The full article will appear in Friday’s Battle Observer.