Hastings Half Marathon goes ahead - but not as we know it

Kevin Blowers saved his Hastings Half for a rainy day...

With the Hastings Half Marathon cancelled for a second successive year because of the Covid pandemic and the associated lockdown restrictions, organisers decided to stage a virtual version instead.

Runners were able to cover the distance on their own and post an official time. In total 278 athletes entered the Virtual Half Marathon, and 23 youngsters entered the mini run. Some 133 posted a finishing time in the half, and 20 in the mini run.

Dale Saxby posted the best time of 1.23.42, followed by the evergreen Darren Barzee of Hastings Runners in a time of 1.26.14. Barzee has run in every renewal of the Hastings Half and didn’t want to miss out this year. David Brook came third in 1.28.44, followed by the second Hastings Runners member Kieran Price in 1.29.03.

See a list of all finishers and their times in this week's (March 26) edition of the Hastings Observer

Eric Hardwick was free of race organisation duties for a change so was able to do his own half marathon - on the proper course

The best time recorded by a female runner was Paula Blackledge (Brighton and Hove AC) in 1.32.52, followed by Yolanda King in 1.37.18, and Joanna Arscott from Bishop Stortford AC in 1.45.36.

Others who kept up their record of taking part in all events since the first one included Ray Grief, Sean Tyler and the amazing Sylvia Huggett.

First international guest to finish was Harm Kuipers from Holland in 1.43.51.

Pictures from past Hastings Half Marathons.