The 2,000 competitors in the 38th Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday (20th March) received a special memento of their race. Each finisher received a horse brass dedicated to 'The Father of Computer Science', Alan Turing, who spent part of his childhood in Upper Maze Hill, Hastings, and attended St. Michael's Day School in the town, where his teachers first spotted his talent.

Alan Turing was famous for cracking German Enigma Codes with his electro-mechanical machine the BOMBE and is credited with shortening World War Two by up to four years.

Hastings has been very popular with visitors since 1066 but this year's battle of Hastings was won by local M45 warrior James Baker (Chichester Runners, 1:10:12). The runners-up to the prolific winner, claiming his 988th career race victory, were James Stockings (Woodford Green, 1:11:34) and Chris Mason (West 4 Harriers, 1:13:37).

Rachael Mulvey (HY Runners, 1:22:18) led the way in the women's race and was joined on the podium by W50 master Linda Schofield (Brighton & Hove, 1:22:53) and Ellie Baxter (Tonbridge, 1:23:10). W55 Clare Elms (Kent AC, 1:23:52) was another master athlete in top form in fourth overall and joins Schofield at the top of the UK rankings for their age groups.  

Long-serving Race Director Eric Hardwick MBE stepped down after presenting the awards and he'll be a tough act to follow as Hastings Half has become a bucket-list race for many athletes, despite its reputation for a hilly course and often inclement weather conditions. 

The organisers, Hastings Lions Club, posted this tribute to the outgoing Race Director: "A huge debt of gratitude to our retiring race director Eric Hardwick MBE, for without four decades of (his) strategic planning, hard work and passion there would not be a national award-winning event called the Hastings Half Marathon. THANK YOU ERIC."  

The route is a single lap from Sea Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, with some great views as you climb The Ridge and on to Old Top Road. The final miles are heading west along the seafront past Hastings Pier and that can be a battle if the wind is against, as it often is.

Although challenging, the course records are swift, reflecting the high calibre athletes who have graced this event over the years. Samuel Otenio (1:01:37) and Andrea Wallace (1:11:13) are the holders of the best times seen at Hastings.

Results and reports can be studied at runABC South race listing here

Image courtesy Hastings Half Marathon on Facebook